| New Year's resolutions are popular. But for most of us | | | | for these activities |
| with school age children, isn't the beginning of school | | | | on your calendar. You could do your planning on a |
| year really the time to make resolutions? After | | | | paper calendar or day planner, or you |
| summer vacation, as we prepare for the new school | | | | could use a computer program like the one my |
| year, it's a great opportunity to set life in order. So as | | | | company, Mediabee, makes.Another advantage of this |
| you're thinking about your back-to-school checklist, | | | | approach is, as you think through all the essential |
| why not think a little bigger and plan out the entire | | | | activities and account for your goals in your schedule, |
| school year to the extent you can?That way, you | | | | you might find that |
| really establish patterns and expectations for this year | | | | you're not overscheduling your family with activities |
| and next - at least until end of school year.As the | | | | that don't contribute to |
| summer winds down, your first thought is probably | | | | meeting your family's goals.ChoresPet care Elder care |
| about shopping for clothes, accessories, and school | | | | Medication Shopping Cooking Room care - straighten |
| supplies - we've got those checklists here. But we've | | | | out, trash Home care - cleaning, gardening, yardKitchen |
| got much more than that. Read on.Clothing & | | | | care - dishes, cooking School-RelatedHomework Open |
| AccessoriesShoes, Boots Socks Underwear Shorts, | | | | HousePTO/PTA Meetings Extra-Curricular |
| pants, skirtsShirts, blouses, T-shirtsSweatsSweater, | | | | ActivitiesBirthday parties Playdates Music, Dance |
| cardiganRaincoat, coatUniforms BackpackEyeglasses | | | | Volunteering ClubsScoutsDiscussion/support |
| or contact lenses School SuppliesLunch box, | | | | groupsChurch Diet & NutritionMeal planning School |
| thermosPens, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, | | | | lunches Snacks Health & FitnessExercise Weight |
| Hi-LiterErasers, white outGeometry set, school box | | | | management Vaccinations Eye & ear exams Physical |
| Paper, computer paper, construction paper, | | | | checkup Doctor and dentist appointments |
| post-itsPaper punch, paper clips, staplesSchool box, | | | | AutomotiveCar maintenance Inspection Registration |
| rulers, scissors, rubber bandsPoster boardBinders, | | | | Driver's License FinancesPaychecks Bills Budget |
| folders, dividersBook socks GadgetsCalculator Cell | | | | Savings Retirement plan Income tax Property tax |
| phone iPod Laptop SportsTrack suit Sport-specific | | | | InsuranceHealthLife Home Car & boat Disability Dental |
| gear: baseball bat, soccer shoes, etc. Now that we've | | | | Home CareFall & Spring cleanup Gutters Roof & |
| taken care of the shopping lists, let's spend a little time | | | | Chimney Carpets Windows Exterior Sealcoating |
| thinking | | | | Repairs CareerTravel Work schedule Vacation & |
| about our plan for the coming year. Below you'll find a | | | | LeisureEating outMuseums & ParksWinter BreakSpring |
| list of various items | | | | BreakWeekend tripsVacationMe Time Family Time |
| relating to family living that will have an impact on your | | | | EntertainmentTVGamesMoviesArtsTheater Birthdays |
| time and schedule.This is where the "resolutions" come | | | | & AnniversariesGifts Greeting cards Parties Other |
| in. Think about your family's goals for the coming | | | | Special NeedsYou might think, am I overdoing this? |
| year and write them down. They could be things like | | | | Does this take the fun out of life? |
| losing weight, having time | | | | What about being spontaneous? I think we're all guilty |
| for yourself, having more quality time with your family, | | | | of being a bit too |
| taking better care of | | | | spontaneous with our lives. It's no coincidence that we |
| your older relatives, paying down debt, winning a | | | | end up making the |
| championship, and so on. | | | | same New Year's resolutions every year. Let this |
| Whatever your goal, here's the chance to "plan it in" | | | | new school year be different! |
| to the school year.Life has a way of taking its own | | | | Shoot for meeting as many goals as you can, and |
| course despite your goals. As you're thinking | | | | may be you will meet |
| through these items, it's a good idea to start planning | | | | a few after all. Good luck! |