I want to give a shout-out to daughter Cindy today for her innovative, creative way of helping her kids, Luke (Grade 5) and Florence (Grade 3), manage their time. Here's how she did it.
I created the labels based on what I want the kids to be doing. The kids get to choose what they do, and in what order but they have to have 2 reds (chores), blue (school work) and 3 green (self care). They get 2 yellows (veg out/ tech time). Luke wanted a 2nd blue as his school takes longer and he needs a 'green' break in between. So we tweaked it for him. Luke made a 'tracker' so he knows where he is in his schedule.
On a related note, a post came in from ADDitude Magazine recently entitled A Daily Schedule for ADHD Brains. Having read the article, I think there is advice in here for all of us, adults and kids. There are links within the article to more great ideas.
Here is a short summary of the article (and note how similar they are to Cindy's ideas. Great minds!):
- Do something for your BRAIN. Read a book, learn a new skill, dust off an old one.
- Get your child to teach you be it a musical instrument, a computer skill, a new game.
- Do something for the HOUSE: cooking a meal, working on the home budget, gardening.
- Work with your kids on some of these HOUSE events.
- Do something for your BODY. Will it be a virtual yoga lesson, going for a walk or a morning/evening meditation?
- Do something for YOURSELF: self-care is truly important these days. Will it be a soothing bubble bath, catching up with friends on Zoom, a favourite ice cream treat? 'You' time is not selfish; it's essential and medicinal. No guilt.
- Do something for SOMEONE ELSE. We need human connection more than ever.
- Do something for your SPACE. Doing small daily tasks provides you with small successes.
- Do something for YOUR FUTURE GOALS. "Balance your focus between today and what comes next." Even if don't know the 'when', but working toward future goals gives us some power and control to be ready when 'when' happens.
Finally, I leave you with the following post that appeared recently on my Facebook page:
