Counseling Corner
March 2024 Newsletter
Got planners?
As adults in the lives of young people, we wear many different hats as we balance our professional career and home life. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things on our “To Do” list as we add new and unexpected responsibilities.
In the midst of chaos that often can define our reality, we strive to meet the needs of our children as our first priority. Creating calm within ourselves and completing every assignment that demands our attention can be daunting. Therefore, it is critically important for us to develop a plan that focuses on time management and maintains routines that help us stay focused and remain calm so we can successfully accomplish our goals.
It is important for us to focus on improving tasks that are already on our agenda and completing that work before we take on any additional assignments. That means we have to slow down and review how we are prioritizing and currently spending our time.
One significant way to accomplish our work is to post our routines, including family events. Putting them on your calendar allows you to see what is coming up and gives you time to properly plan ahead for the week or the month. It also helps to create a routine that includes dinner time, homework, silent reading, and setting bedtime. That will allow children to create emotional stability and helps them to develop confidence. When children can predict what is going to happen, they can become calmer, and it provides them with a sense of confidence.
As children get older, they need help to keep to a schedule. It is impossible for them to keep all their details and deadlines in their heads. So, how can they keep track of EVERYTHING they have to do? Posting a calendar on the fridge is a simple, visible reminder of events and tasks on their list of things to do. Also, the telephone is an excellent tool to stay on top of tasks and assignments. Keeping a planner or creating a “To Do” list provides an opportunity for intrinsic rewards. Contributing to family chores, planning events, and placing a check mark next to accomplished tasks can help to achieve success and complete chores. As a bonus children will feel a sense of purpose as they contribute to their family.
Also, you may want to include cooking dinner and going to sports practice as you make time to play and have fun. Also, scheduling time to do absolutely “nothing” allows the brain to have free thought which allows creativity to occur. Down time allows children to play and just be kids.
Create time and space for children to accomplish more goals and achieve their desired results. For adults, this “nothing” time looks more like playing golf, getting a massage, or reading a book. Those quiet moments allow creativity to evolve.
Such exercises also demonstrate how to adapt when things do not go as planned. We are leading by example and showing how to rearrange our set plans to make room for new or unexpected events. There is the logistic shift and the opportunity to remain calm when things do not always go as planned.
Video: The Importance of Daily Routines
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Important Phone Numbers
| The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-TALK |
| The Access & Crisis Line San Diego | 1-888-724-7240 |
| The Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 |
| San Diego region’s trusted source for access to community, health, social, and disaster services. A local non-profit operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. | 211 |
| California Warmline | 1-855-7415 |
| The Trevor Project (supporting LGBTQ) | 1-866-488-7386 |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | 1-800-799-7233 |
| Child Abuse Hotline | 1-800-344-600 |
| California Parent and Youth Helpline provides support and resource referrals to parent and youth during the current COVID-19 pandemic, 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call or text. | 1-855-4AParent |