Family Scheduling = an Intentional Life of Joy
Five things Mom's can do Today to Take Back Their Weekends!By Molly Gold, GO MOM! founder
Have you ever felt like if you could just find some extra time on the weekend, you could finally relax? My role on NBC's Today Show Weekend Editions as a Family Scheduling Expert is to advise the Pennington family of Holly Springs, NC on how they can better manage their family schedules to enjoy weekends together, rather than be trapped by a manic schedule of household chores and activities that consumes what little time they have. Take this weekend to put these five tips into place and you'll be amazed at how your active role in scheduling your family will lead you to a more relaxed and family centered weekend.
- Use a portable, mom-oriented calendar system, such as the GO MOM!® Planner, to create one central calendar that condenses all family member schedules. Think of yourself as the gatekeeper. You have the power to both commit and protect time to produce the best outcome for you and your crew. Each time an event arises for any family member, first check your planner prior to committing that individual. Evaluate it for hot spots that need readjusting to lighten the load when possible or simply call in additional resources, such as carpool, to help you get it all done. Keep it in an accessible location when you are home and keep it close each time you venture out.
- Create a GO MOM!® Map to consolidate all information centers into one location, or create them where they previously did not exist. Along with your GO MOM!® Planner, initiate the use of a Wall Organizer with cork and wipe board features for your partner and kids. Educate them that this is their base of operations and while you will maintain the calendar for them, in conjunction with your Planner, it is their responsibility to communicate with you about their lives. Encourage them to use the wipe board to jot reminder notes for you and provide enough push pins to allow important invitations or school work to be highlighted for all to see.
- Assign each family member a personal In/Out box, adults included, and instruct them as to how the system works together. For Mom, a mobile file system will make harnessing information easy when not at home and offer an efficient system to accommodate the paper that comes with life.
- After creating your GO MOM!® Map, you'll find easy ways to delegate and outsource both inside and outside the home. Use an age appropriate chore chart to get your kids on board and have an open dialogue with your partner about how to best manage the work load within your respective roles. When appropriate, don't hesitate to use home cleaning services, on-line grocery shopping, and any other service that will make your most hectic days a little easier.
- Celebrate your success! Create a Family Fun Jar and have each child place three ideas into the jar. When it comes time to enjoy your new found family time, pick an idea from the jar and celebrate your time together. Perhaps a visit to the neighborhood pool or the local miniature golf course is the activity of choice. Kids need more friend time? Make your house the place to be with family and friends night. Everyone invites someone over for pizza and game night, hanging out at home with a priceless gift…time together.
GO MOM !NC Founder, Molly Gold, is a 40-year-old mother of three and the creator of The GO MOM!® product line. Gold is known for her keen insights into Family Scheduling and has been featured both in print and on air media alike. Gold currently serves on Proctor & Gamble's Mr. Clean Team Expert Panel, Cartoon Network's Tickle U Advisory Board and as Family Scheduling Expert at both www.BlueSuitMom.com, and www.NewBaby.com. Gold's work has most recently been featured on NBC's Today Show Weekend Edition, as a contributing author in the newly released, The Experts Guide to the Baby Years, by Samantha Ettus, Women's Health Magazine, and in the February 2007 Family Fun Magazine.
