Here’s a little game I devised to keep things lightened up during the week. Feel free to give these ideas a try and see if they help you get through the week with more smiles and less stress. Each day has a special theme as you’ll see below.
Marvelous Monday
Turn a typical manic Monday morning into a marvelous one. Take a few minutes on Sunday afternoon or evening and get ready for the first day of the week. Make sure homework is done, lunch menus have been checked, today’s clothing choices have been made, and a quick review of this week’s calendar has taken place. These four things will go a long way in keeping the stress levels in check on Monday morning.
Terrific Tuesday
What better way to follow up a Marvelous Monday than with a Terrific Tuesday? Keep the momentum by taking a look at this week and next weeks’ calendar so there are no surprises like, “I have a Legos Robotic Club meeting today after school.” Or…”I need to bring a bag of apples to school today.” This is also the day that, as parents, you praise your kids up and down. Let them know how TERRIFIC they really are. Tell them what a great speller they are. Let them know how much you appreciate them getting out of bed on the first request. Give them a high-five for always remembering to check their backpack for important ‘mom-and-dad’ papers. How ‘bout a big hug for improving their math grade this semester? Kids have bad days too, you know. Keep them pumped up and excited about school.
Wander-ful Wednesday
Not wonderful, wander-ful. Get out of the rut. Do something out of the ordinary today. Wander away from the normal routine that can seem downright boring sometimes. Try something totally new for breakfast for the kids. Have your son or daughter wear a shirt he/she hasn’t worn in a long, long time. Pack something new and exciting for lunch (for you and the kiddos). Take a different route to school and/or work today. Try a new recipe for dinner. Watch something way different on television. Or…turn OFF the television and have a time for family discussion. “Tell me about your day.” “What did you learn at school today?” are some great conversation-starters.
Thankful Thursday
Begin your day by making a list of all the things you’re thankful for. My wife and I wake up our youngest son 2on Thursday and we immediately start listing all the things we’re thankful for: a house to live in, food to eat, our favorite clothes, our family, a great school, friends, recess, etc., etc., etc. Parents should do this too. We go through life at the speed of light and sometimes we just need to stop. Take a breath and really think of all the things we have to be thankful for. If you have a few minutes, grab a pen and paper (or use your computer) and write down your “I’m thankful for” list. You might surprise yourself. And you might have a whole new perspective to your day.
Freaky Friday
Today is the day you ask your kids this question: “What is the strangest thing that happened to you this week?” It’s not a typical question so it will make them think (a good thing!) and once you get a reply, it’s time to dissect and discuss. It’s also a good time to plant the seed of surprise. Ask them what they could do or what they might say to surprise someone ( in a positive way, of course!). Here are some examples: Perhaps one of their weekly chores is to gather up all the newspapers and put them in the recycle bin. But…every week they have to be reminded two or three times to do it and it really ticks off Dad. So..freak Dad out and have your son or daughter take the task by the horns and get it done before Dad has a chance to remind him/her. Here’s another one: you have a son who has trouble in math. You have an older son who is very good at math. Tell the eldest that he could be a HUGE help to Mom and Dad by helping out his brother. THAT’S freaky: siblings helping each other? Seriously though, it’s a great way to make it a win/win/win event: youngest gets the help he needs; oldest learns that helping is a good deed; parents get to spend time on other tasks and get to enjoy watching the interaction between to the brothers. Nothing warms this dad’s heart more than seeing his kids get along with each other.
Saturday and Sunday: You’re on your own. Make something up or take a break: your choice!
Thoughts? Comments? Complaints?
Let me know if this post was helpful. And let me (and others) know what tips and tricks you use with your kids.
