Children LIVE what they LEARN

ABERI DOODLES (ILLUSTRATION BY MY 10 YEAR OLD SON)

  The busiest time in my household is “Get ready time” especially for school or impromptu outings. As a mother of four children, I am constantly looking for ways to make life easier.  I have one in middle school, two in elementary school and a preschooler. I absolutely need a plan that works efficiently. My oldest has recently started Basketball and Volleyball. I run several business, and an unending lists of responsibilities. Do you need to hear more? Being extremely organized keeps us all sane. Remember that the plan and schedule must be realistic, and it must work for both you and the kids. Do not place unrealistic expectations on yourself and the kids or those that are part of your village. Create a schedule that is direct and easy to follow. Another important point is to make sure you are not over consumed by being a perfect parent that you miss the part of parenting that involves children making mistakes and you both working at getting better daily on your executive functions skills. Talk to your children and village. Do well to let them understand that the purpose of better executive function strategies are to make life easier for everyone.

  Tips you can use right now:

• DE-CLUTTER. Get rid of clutter TODAY!
• Shop with school clothes in mind.
• Buy a set of khaki bottoms and polo shirts.
• Keep socks in the same color range to ease the pain of looking for pairs.
• Discuss and agree on school clothes/church clothes/play clothes and use separate storage bins.

• 

  SAMPLE WEEKDAY CLOTHES (DO NOT DISCARD  EMPTY BAGS)

  Immediately after laundry, place a top, bottom, underwear, inner shirt and matching socks for the day in a plastic bag. Or uniforms, pack as desired. (20 bags total for the month). Store in a plastic bin.
• Pre-match all outing clothes and hang them up ready to go. (Preferably out of sight)

• Have each child pick their favorite color. Shop for each child based on their color of choice (toothbrushes, towels, washcloths, toilet bags, indoor slippers, etc.). With this color system you can quickly tell whose plate is in the sink or whose towel is on the floor for accountability. This also encourages the children to take ownership of their belongings and it gives them a sense of pride.

   Here with a sample schedule created by my sister Fri-Maikah and I. Fri is an essential part of my village not just because she is an educator by profession, but also because she is the support system I can trust and rely on at any time. You cannot raise children without a village. Schedules will only work when trust and love exist amongst the villagers and the child. I had shared a sample schedule on my Facebook timeline and blog ages ago that got a lot of feedback from parents and caregivers so I thought I will share again as it has been updated. If you have a copy of my book (Take charge of your mind. Your Sanity is your wealth) then you have seen this chapter before. The eBook is available on amazon for those interested  https://www.amazon.com/TAKE-CHARGE-YOUR-MIND-SANITY-ebook/dp/B07DXFVXYX 

You must create effective schedules and routines that help your children create positive habits. Do not wing it. Children live what they learn. Talk the schedule out with them for input. Do not schedule chores based on gender, let all children participate. You can change chores around monthly or weekly. Do not make the mistake of teaching your children that chores need to be rewarded. Taking care of their space, and keeping the house clean is a responsibility and needs no rewards. let them understand that there is dignity in hard work. Most importantly give yourself that 20 minutes to talk with them after school. And last but not least, limit electronics and screen time. Replace electronics during school days with books. If you are in need of an activity that gives you an opportunity to all participate try BRAIN GAMES (on national geographic channel or YouTube-THIS IS NOT AN AD). Our children introduced us to this show/activity, It is family friendly and it gives you the opportunity to slide in positive re-enforcement. It is our responsibility as parents to provide a chaos free environment for our children. Ditch the excuses! 40 But everything must be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

This is based on my kids and their ages. My four year old will be getting a written out schedule in September. What works in your home? Share with us in the comments. We would love to know

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE 12 YEARS OLD •WAKE UP TIME: 6:30 AM (WAKE UP WITH WORSHIP MUSIC PLAYING AS YOU GET READY FOR THE DAY) •PRAY •BUS STOP TIME ? AM •GIVE YOURSELF TWO HOURS IN THE MORNING TO BE EFFECTIVE BEFORE SCHOOL •MAKE UP YOUR BED/TIDY YOUR AREA •BRUSH YOUR TEETH •TAKE A SHOWER (DON'T FORGET LOTION & DEODORANT) •CLEAN BATHROOM COUNTER •MAKE SURE YOUR HAIR IS NEAT •ASSIST WITH PACKING LUNCH FOR EVERYONE/ASSIST WITH BREAKFAST •PLACE BOOK BAG BY THE DOOR •FREE TIME •OFF TO THE BUS STOP AFTER SCHOOL •WASH HANDS •30 MINS OF FREE TIME •HOMEWORK/STUDY/READING TIME •TALK WITH AN ADULT ABOUT YOUR DAY •DINNER •WASH/PUT AWAY DISHES/VACUUM •PRAYER TIME •ASSIST WITH PREP FOR TOMORROWS LUNCH •TAKE A SHOWER •BRUSH TEETH •BEDTIME 8:00 PM

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE 10 YEARS OLD •WAKE UP TIME 7:00 (WAKE UP WITH WORSHIP MUSIC PLAYING THROUGHOUT PREP) •PRAY •BUS STOP TIME ?AM •YOU HAVE 2 HOURS IN THE MORNING TO BE EFFECTIVE BEFORE SCHOOL •MAKE UP YOUR BED •BRUSH YOUR TEETH •TAKE A SHOWER (DON’T FORGET-LOTION) •MAKE SURE YOUR HAIR IS NEAT (ASK FOR HELP) •TIDY YOUR ROOM •SWEEP THE KITCHEN FLOOR •WASH HANDS •EAT BREAKFAST •PLACE BOOK BAG BY THE DOOR •FREE TIME •OFF TO THE BUS STOP AFTER SCHOOL •WASH HANDS •30 MINS OF FREE TIME •HOMEWORK/STUDY/READING TIME •TALK WITH AN ADULT ABOUT YOUR DAY •DINNER •PRAYER TIME •CLEAN BATHROOM COUNTERS, MIRROR, FLOOR AND REPLACE TISSUE •SHOWER •BRUSH TEETH •BEDTIME 8:00 PM

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE 7 YEARS OLD •WAKE UP TIME 7:00 (WAKE UP WITH WORSHIP MUSIC PLAYING THROUGHOUT PREP) •PRAY •BUS STOP TIME ? AM •YOU HAVE 2 HOURS IN THE MORNING TO BE EFFECTIVE BEFORE SCHOOL •MAKE UP YOUR BED •BRUSH YOUR TEETH •SHOWER (DON’T FORGET LOTION) •MAKE SURE YOUR HAIR IS NEAT (ASK FOR HELP) •TIDY YOUR ROOM •TAKE OUT BATHROOM TRASH •WASH HANDS EAT BREAKFAST •PLACE BOOK BAG BY THE DOOR •FREE TIME •OFF TO THE BUS STOP AFTER SCHOOL •WASH HANDS •30 MINS OF FREE TIME •HOMEWORK/STUDY/READING TIME •TALK WITH AN ADULT ABOUT YOUR DAY •DINNER •PRAYER TIME •SWEEP THE KITCHEN FLOOR •PUT AWAY ALL TOYS AND BOOKS •SHOWER •BRUSH TEETH •BEDTIME 8:00 PM

BUILDING EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE FUNCTION STRATEGIES IN YOUR CHILDREN WILL HELP KEEP YOU SANE!

“Know well the condition of your flocks and give attention to your herds”.

Proverbs 27:23

kisses,

We will like to hear from you.  Please us a comment, Subscribe and or share this post..... 💗😚