I came across a podcast this week about mental wellness and college-aged students. It is that time of year when kids of all ages are heading back, and some may be heading out of your nest. It is an emotional roller coaster many-highs and lows-happy and sad-all the it!
What got my attention about the podcast, you can listen here, were the questions about how to be intentional with our time and priorities.
That’s really what this week’s conversation is about. How we spend our time matters. What we spend our time on matters. And if we aren’t careful, we end up spending our time on things that don’t matter. Intentionality is a learned discipline. It may come easier for some than others. But becoming intentional with our time is something we all can learn how to be better at together! Here are some things to think about as you help your kiddo be intentional with their time. And yes, it includes a to-do list!
Elementary
Kids learn to be intentional by spending time learning to be responsible for their time. It’s funny to think about your 5-year-old having a to-do list. But they can learn how to spend time doing things that are fun, get chores completed, and rest in a way that honors their age and stage of development. Kindergarten teachers know this-that’s why you can find daily schedules in classrooms of all grade levels. When kids learn to follow a routine/a schedule/utilize a to-do list, they begin the process of becoming very intentional adults. Helping your kids complete a to-do list will foster confidence and feelings of accomplishment. And if they miss a task or two, don’t sweat it! Remind them that the goal is progress, not perfection!
Middle School
As your kids get older, the expectations of what they can be responsible for increases. One of the ways you can help your kids is to slowly add responsibilities to their plate, at a manageable pace, consistently over time. Let their to-do lists grow with them. That way, they don’t wake up a graduated senior from high school not knowing how to do their laundry. Helping them learn time management skills will be beneficial to them for the rest of their life. Use this season to ease them into being ultimately responsible for themselves. Moving too fast can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, so be aware of the pace you set. Let them be involved in adding new expectations and responsibilities when it comes to their to-do list.
High School
Your kids are inching closer every day to their next season. The world full of responsibilities waits just on the other side of your front door. You may catch yourself running through a mental checklist of all the things your kid needs to have as priorities! Model for them what it looks like to spend intentional time with family, building relationships, resting, working, and spending time with God. They are watching you even though it may not feel like it. In fact, your to-do list may be miles long when you think about all your high schooler needs! Guard against the assumption that your list is their list. Let this be a time you engage with your kid in more of a coaching role. Coach them along as they grow and move on.
We have to-do lists for each of these stages linked below! On the Back-To-School Resources page on beagoby.com, you will find additional free downloads to help you along the way! Just click on the Resource Tab, and you will find free downloads to use and share!
To-Do Lists
Have a great week,
Toby