Busy families everywhere are settling into the school year. September is a time for everyone in the family adjusting to new and often hectic schedules, routines and activities. Here are some ideas to help you and your family prepare for smooth running days ahead.

Family

With everyone having different schedules, and needs, it’s important to keep track of everything so that things don’t get lost in the cracks. Preparation and planning again are crucial to a smooth running ship. A few minutes here, will save you many headaches.

• A Family Calendar or Bulletin Board Central – Essential in keeping everyone’s schedule in one place and avoid those double bookings or even worse, forgetting/missing an important event. This allows you to keep track of reminders for yourself, due dates, parents night etc….. Color coordinating with a different color pen is another way to catch your eye and help the younger ones to know their schedule. Check out the resource center for a great resource here.

• For those of you who like to have the written calendar in front of you or on the go – try www.busybodybooks.com Time is precious...so is your family and your job. Use this to plan your day and your week accordingly and find time to spare, just for you.

Make family time important and a priority – give it the attention it deserves! When you make a doctors appointment, it always gets on the calendar, well, your family is just as important and sometime you simply need to schedule it in and mark it on the calendar to make sure it happens. As you well know, time passes quickly and if you don’t plan to put it on your planner, life will continue to speed by and you will have lost those opportunities to build and strengthen your family.

Equally important is that of making time for you! With all you’re doing you need a break too! Make sure you put some time on the calendar for YOU. What hobbies, or things do you like to do? What gives you a little extra boost? Perhaps it’s a walk on the beach, scrap booking class, or an undisturbed soak in the tub. Whatever you do, just do it! Remember the age-old saying – "If mama ain't happy -- nobody is."

Thoughts and Challenges

Take a look at your schedule – Do you have a way to keep track of everything and what’s going on or do you forget some of it. Make sure that you pencil in time for the quality of life things with your family as well as for yourself. A few minutes of preparation will go a long way in terms of maintaining connections and fun along with all the other tasks of life. So, plan them out, put them on the planner and JUST DO IT!

About the author:

Tressa is inspired to guide women in reaching a life that they love while taking care of themselves! If you would like assistance in any aspect of your professional or personal journey, she welcomes the opportunity to discuss creating an individual plan for you!

Tressa is one of the MomMD coaching affiliate members who represent Women To Women Coaching. They are dynamic teleconference/workshop leaders, and personal and professional life coaches who are dedicated to working with busy Professional Women/Moms who desire to create more success in balancing time and energy in work and home that will significantly impact their lives. Join a unique group of women/moms from all over the world with the courage to go after their dreams. We will be offering upcoming teleconferences through MomMD and welcome you to join us in these interactive teleconferences that will stimulate your creativity and help you be more energized. In addition, we will be posting forum questions and replies that motivate you to explore important issues. Check out upcoming events and teleconferences at our website at www.womentowomencoaching.com.

Tressa Ryan
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