Just Keepin’ It Real Folks.
Get Organized: Make A Weekly Plan
Each Sunday night I make a plan for the following week, because:
(a) I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t plan it, it doesn’t get done;
(b) I value my sanity.
That being said, I almost cried when I wrote our schedule into my calendar this week. With my husband and two of my teenagers with jobs outside our home, my weekly plan is now more like a jigsaw puzzle.
So why after writing a post about being Unbusy, am I seemingly being a hypocrite and participating in the busiest summer we have had yet?
I Am Not An ATM
My children like most offspring want stuff. They are less materialistic than some, but they do like new video games and going to the mall on occasion.
We are those crazy parents who think our teenagers should have to work for the “extras”. We provide shelter, food and basic clothing, but contrary to a popular t-shirt, my husband is not an ATM.
We want our teens to be prepared for real life, to understand the word “work” and to comprehend that it means 20-30 hours of hard labor to produce the money for that game system.
Jobs Are A Blessing
We know several people who are either out of work themselves, or are trying to find jobs for their teens. We do not take for granted the fact that we have three employed people in our home.
And frankly, it can be a good thing to have your 18 year old son out of the house for a few hours most days of the week (just sayin’).
Debt Equals Death
Do I want to spend so much time in the car that I develop “driving elbow”?
For the love of all things decent and deep-fried, NO!
We could make life much “easier” by marching ourselves down to the local used car dealership and signing up for a “no money down, $300/month” car payment–only we won’t.
The hassle of spending so much time in the car is far outweighed by the burden of owing money to someone else, so we will do things the old fashioned way and (gasp!), save money to buy another car.
The good news is that life is seasonal. In a few months the summer job will dwindle into a few off-season hours, and life will slow down again. A few months after that we will probably be able to purchase another car, and within a few years those teenagers will be adults and out on their own. There will be plenty of time for sleeping then.
So this week, I will lower my expectations. I will exercise when I can, try to squeeze in a date with my husband and stay peaceful while I drive, drive, drive.
You can read last week’s plan here, which is more of what my A-Type personality likes to see.
As a gift to my readers, you can now print your own customizable Weekly Plan! Click here and “like” The Peaceful Mom on Facebook to access the download link.
Click the link and type in your info for the week. Once you are done, right click the form to print and check off each task as you complete it.
(You can see all of the FREE printable planners I have available here.)
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What do you think? Would you make a different choice? Leave a comment.
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My dd doesn’t have a job, but she knows if she gets one she will have to pay money towards the use of the family car. When she wants to go somewhere for fun she takes our car (we have more than one), but she also runs errands for us to offset her use of it. We are not in a position to buy her a car, but even if we were I doubt we would do it. I think she would value a vehicle much more if she had to buy it herself. I don’t believe we are obligated to provide one for her, any more than we are obligated to pay for her college! (I agree with your stance on that one, too!)
I laughed out loud when I read your plan 1. Get out of bed and 2. Don’t hurt anyone!!! Then when I thought about it, I realized that this really is the best plan when life gets too demanding and stressful. When I’ve got too much going on, I start sniping and getting snarky. By cutting to-do’s consciously, and allowing myself to breath and recoup; I regain my good nature. I’ve got to post this somewhere to remind myself. Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad I could give you a laugh. 🙂
I think I would do the same thing. My teenager has her own car, but I know how it feels to be going so much. It’s all a part of the season and it just means no more debt. Your kids are learning a valuable lesson from that alone.
Our oldest now has an apartment with a friend close to her college that we pay for (half of rent), but it was cheaper for us than 9 months of dorm fees this next year. We figured we would help pay the utilities since she is so busy, but she insisted on doing that herself. I am glad she did. She is much more mindful of her electricity usage now. The other day I mentioned she could do something that would cost a little money and she said “no way, I work hard for that money”. She has always been responsible, but this adds a new chapter of responsibility to her life.
So I am quite sure it will be the best thing for your kids. Hang on, it won’t be long and someday you’ll laugh about it.
I am trying to laugh now so I don’t cry–haha! 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement.
I think I would do it the same way, especially if faced with the choice of no more debt.
We have found ourselves super busy this summer also. I am not sure what that is all about. I always thought summer was for relaxing?
At least you still have a sense of humor. That was funny!! I spend too much time in the car sometimes too’ and my 16yo son drives his own car. His 14 yo brother and 12 yo sister, however, do not! Your teens are blessed to have summer jobs. They are a bit hard to come by these days. Hang in there!!!!
Hopefully I can continue to maintain that sense of humor, right? 🙂