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August 1, 2003/Av 3 5763, Vol. 55, No. 49
New school year, new goals
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
It's hard to believe, but summer vacation is nearly over.
In the next few weeks, students will be going back to school and it's an excellent opportunity to reflect on what worked for you family last school year - and what didn't.
I've found it helpful to select a few areas I'd like to make changes in as a family and then detail specific strategies to make them happen. The following are a few suggestions for the upcoming school year.
Make social Jewish connections
When children attend Jewish preschool or day school, Jewish friends are pretty easy to come by. And, of course, Jewish camp offers the opportunity to reconnect with Jewish friends each summer. But children who attend public school may find themselves so wrapped up with friends at school and extracurricular activities that they may find themselves lacking significant contact with other Jewish kids.
Make an attempt to reverse this trend. Invite a friend from religious school over for a play date, or find a family with similar-age children at your synagogue and make plans to meet at a park for a picnic.
Most synagogues offer youth groups - take advantage of this opportunity or look into a Jewish youth group that is not affiliated with a synagogue, such as Young Judaea, affiliated with Hadassah, which offers youth groups for children as young as third grade.
Spend more family time
I hear many parents saying they wish they had more family time, but the families who make it work are few and far between. But rather than lamenting the fact that there isn't enough family time, set a goal to do something about it and create a specific plan.
We found our hectic schedule doesn't allow for family time every week, so rather than not do it at all, we schedule something every other week. Sometimes it's a big day - a day trip to Sedona or a morning at the zoo followed by a hike at Papago Park.
However, my kids' favorite family activity is much simpler. My kids have dubbed it Family Movie Night. Family members take turns selecting a family video, we spread a big blanket and lots of pillows on the family room floor and then eat a dinner of appetizers and spend the evening together. It's a great activity for Sunday night - a time to relax and laugh and reconnect before the busy week begins.
Be more organized
Who doesn't want to be more organized? It can be a daunting task, so I try to pick one area to become more organized and master it before moving on to something else.
A simple idea that I started last year that has saved a lot of time is a small file box I store in my kitchen for frequently needed paperwork. Each family member has a folder with their name on it. These are used to store upcoming birthday invitations, notes about school parties or field trips and letters that need a response. In addition to the standard files for bills and things to file, I've created a folder for each child's schoolwork, which I go through quarterly. Another file that has been extremely helpful is a folder with directions. Whenever the children have a play date, I always print a map from the Internet and label it with the friend's name, the parents' and siblings' names, and the family phone number. Not only does everyone in the family have access to the information at any time, but I'll never again face the embarrassing situation of forgetting the names of anyone's parents.
Be more involved
For working parents there is never enough time in the day and it often seems an impossible task to give more of yourself. However, I've found there are many ways to give smaller amounts of time, which is both rewarding for myself and a positive influence on my children.
While you may not be able to commit to serving on the board of your synagogue or Jewish community center, check into serving on a committee. They frequently require a shorter time commitment and may meet less often.
Or, rather than serving as PTO president at your child's school, you can volunteer to help on specific projects - tallying fund-raiser orders, manning a carnival booth, or offering to help at a class party.
Every child loves to see their parent involved at school, and while sometimes volunteering in the classroom may seem like a job for stay-at-home moms, few teachers require a weekly commitment. I have frequently volunteered biweekly or monthly in the classroom. It's such a wonderful experience to see my children in a different environment and to be able to put faces to the names I hear on the car trip home.
Have fun
Make a commitment to have more fun - on your own, with your friends, with your spouse and with your kids. One of the most important lessons you can teach your kids is how to have fun and be happy, and children learn from example. If you are all work and no play, that's the precedent you're setting for your children.
Everyone deserves to have fun - even busy parents.
Contact the writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.
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