Tick tock. Tick tock. Do you hear it? It's time passing.
When I was in the classroom, it was so easy to recognize the passage of time. A new school year started with fresh supplies and kids. There was a break between terms and I entered my grades to mark the completion of that segment of time. Summer was summer - so unlike the rest of the school year.
Since leaving the classroom, the last five-plus years with my own kids are a blur. Every parent wonders, "Where does the time go?" I do too, but the former teacher and student in me want to recognize the milestones.
This has been easy in only a few ways. My daughter is in the same classroom with the same teacher as my son, just two years later. Or I distinctly remember my kids in a certain phase during a long weekend in Sunriver. I keep the kids' photos from each Halloween in our storage box so I can look through them and remember the years that have passed.
For the most part, though, most of my time as a parent is indistinct. I can't recall what we got our daughter for Christmas when she was one. The pumpkin patch trips with my son blend together. What was it like when they ate purees?
I don't have many photo albums from my own childhood. My mom didn't scrapbook. I'm trying desperately to capture these memories for my kids.
One way I'm doing this with a personal family blog I've maintained for about four years (sorry--no link to that one). I also create photobooks for my kids each year. It's true that these are a significant amount of work, but they are also something that documents the holidays and milestones in a tangible way. It's a kick to look through them - especially years later. My photobook of choice is through Shutterfly. You can make them as simple or complicated as you want.
Maybe the most important way to mark the passage of time is to stop in the moment. Notice the little things. And be present.
How do you keep track of the passage of time?
We all have areas of our house that get, let's say, out of control when life gets busy. For me it's my pantry.
I grocery shop with one or both kids most of the time. I shop once a week, carefully, with a list. When I get home? It all breaks down.
Maybe it's because the kids have been good for an hour while I shop. Maybe it's that we're home again and they have access to toys. Maybe it's that I'm trying to get something else done. Whatever the reason, putting all those bags of groceries away as quickly as possible does not result in a neat, orderly pantry (or fridge for that matter). You should see how many partially full boxes of pasta we have. And cans of beans. Just ask my husband--this is a big pet peeve.
When you're in a hurry, what don't you do well?
I purchased this Melissa and Doug Responsibility Board about a year ago but have had difficulty finding just the right way to use it. I recently saw it slightly re-purposed* and knew I had to try it too!
As I've mentioned, I'm a former teacher. I loved my white board. I had it filled out with the parts of each lesson for each class each day. It was a helpful way to keep me and the students organized.
Fast-forward to today. With both kids in school and in activities, I found myself losing track of what we were doing when. I also needed help in the 'chore' department.
The top part of the board is being used as intended. I put up several chores that the kids earn magnet 'buttons' for completing. The bottom part is what is saving my sanity. I sectioned it just like when I was teaching, and fill it out each night for the following day. I have a section for the day and date, the plan for dinner, and a section for each of my kids' activities. I keep it right where I can see it from the kitchen. An organized schedule: achieved!
*Thanks to my friend Tracy Muilenburg for the inspiration.
Tell me more: What tricks do you have to keep your family schedule in order?
