Finishing the School Year Like a Champ

One year ago on Ducks 'n a Row...
                                    By Sinea Pies/ Follow her on FACEBOOK here.

Finish Like a Champ!

Feel like you're in a race against time?  The final months of the school year can seem like an endless marathon of events and obligations.  
Two important goals should be to:  

1. Finish the race, and

2. Finish it well!

Nothing feels worse than rushing through life and not enjoying the scenery along the way! Wonderful people, whom we love, have great milestones taking place in their lives. Instead of really enjoying each moment, though, we hurry along just counting the time till it's all over!   


Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you don't even remember the drive? I'm serious! On a rare occasion, I have found that my car got me there but I don't remember how. A little bit scary, I would say.


So, combat Springtime Burnout and enjoy the journey! Make a plan.


As we said in Part One: "Preparing for the Rest of the School Year", get out your personal planner, family calendar and the school calendar. I am adding one more thing. Bring out your children's book bags, as well. There may be nuggets of valuable information stuffed in there. :)


SCHOOL EVENTS:
Start with the school calendar.  What are the important dates on that calendar that you have to plan for?  

• Spring Concert?
• Teacher Appreciation Day?
• Science Fair?
• Field Day?
• Prom?
• Final exam week? 
• Sports banquet?
• School play?
• Graduation?   

Why the book bag? Schools send home newsletters with reminders, changes and details.  Your child may be perfect at getting them to you on time (if so, please tell us your secret --- every parent and every teacher would love to know) but many times the newsletter gets squished somewhere between the Math book and remainder of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, never to be seen or read.  Look in the book bag for hidden information that it would be good for you to know!
Next, add events generated by family and friends.  Find the mail (which has been beautifully sorted and filed, right?)  Or simply read the refrigerator door, if that's where you post invitations.  Wherever they are, bring the invitations together and collect vital information.

FAMILY EVENTS:
Where do you have to be?

• Birthday Parties
• Bridal Showers
• Baby Showers
• Rehearsal Dinners
• Weddings
• Graduations 
• Preschool?
• Kindergarten?
• Middle School
• High School?
• College?
• Retirement Parties
• Awards Ceremonies
• Charity Fundraiser
• Dance Recital

HOLIDAYS:
Record the obvious and where you will be celebrating them, if you know where that will be.

• Easter / Passover 
• Cinco de Mayo
• Mother's Day 
• Father's Day 
• Memorial Day 

Now, do not panic. Take a nice deep breath. Now, look at the calendar. Is there anything you need to do for each event, besides just showing up?  Clothing that needs to be ready? Gifts to buy? Refreshments to be made? Invitations to send? Pieces of a future Science Fair project to be located or bought?  
Think ahead.  This is where a checklist comes in handy. In addition to your grocery list, a checklist is essential in keeping you on track with the finer details. As you make your list, questions may arise. If you can't find the answers that you need, now's the time to make that phone call or send a friendly note to find out. 


When it comes to making food for an event, mark your calendar when to buy the ingredients and when the food should be made. Some recipes must be made a day or two in advance. Plan for it.


The most important thing to remember is that you are taking part in making memories for yourself and others as you travel through this event-laden season. Perfection is not possible, so don't even try. Do your best and enjoy it all as you go along! 

Happy Spring!
Sinea


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Photo Credits:

• Supermom by Glitternsparkle.com
• Girl Putting Hat on Bear by Stuart Miles Freedigitalphotos.com