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♦Keep a "Waiting For" file. My file currently contains: birthday invitations
responded to, information on my girls’ upcoming dance recital, and receipts for
uniforms on order. Without this file, these papers would be on my desk.
♦Read the school newsletter. Skip the newsletter and the school gods will get
you. Your kid will arrive in uniform on costume day. You'll find out about the
big pilgrim event after the turkey’s been roasted. Note newsletter events - then
look for them to change in the next newsletter.
♦Get an electronic organizer. As the family grows, so do the number of regularly
scheduled events. Kids’ activities, PTA meetings - why record these by hand each
week when you can program them to repeat? The best gift I got preparing for my
second child was a Palm organizer.
♦Keep spring open. Once the kids start school, May and June are as busy as
December. Schedule a business trip during the last month of school and you risk
missing an important event. Keep your calendar as clear as possible during this
time.
♦Create an inbox for your mate. You swear you left it on the counter for him. He
hasn't seen it. Avoid conflict by giving your spouse an inbox. Put the roofing
estimate job in the box and place flowers on the counter.
♦Meet with your spouse. Plans made in passing don't always register. Men are
lousy at multitasking. Women get overwhelmed at home. Sit down and compare
calendars. Start by scheduling date night.
♦Consider birthday parties optional. The more kids you have, the more
invitations you get. Pass on those that don't fit your schedule. But RSVP so the
busy birthday parent can plan.
♦Preserve free time. My favorite days with my girls are the unscheduled ones.
Set aside time to just hang out together. It's as important as anything else
you'll do.
About the Author
Jennifer Bingham Hull is an award-winning author and mother of two. Her book, Beyond One: Growing a Family and Getting a Life, looks at life after the second child. Jennifer's articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Parenting, Working Mother and many other publications. Visit
http://www.growingafamily.com/ where you can contact her to receive this "Life Beyond One" column regularly and sign up for her free newsletter.
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