To Do...

 One of the things we are looking to teach our tenants more specifically is how to better manage their time. The truth of it is, most of them have not lived consistently in environments where time management was taught or modeled regularly. It's one of the things that has pushed me to take a step back and be grateful for things I learned somewhat by osmosis.

I grew up in a home with two parents who were timely, organized people. I grew up understanding (by observation) what it meant to get up in time to eat breakfast, get dressed, and be out the door on time for wherever we needed to go. I understood how to be aware of what plans we had in evenings and budget enough time for homework, playtime, etc. I even started setting and sticking to my own enforced bedtime when I was in junior high. (In bed at 9:45 for devos and journaling...lights out at 10:15. Not 10:16. 10:15.)

I grew up in a school system that taught us how to use day planners to manage our homework and tests. (And clearly I still love those!!)

But the young adults we work with haven't learned all that just yet. Like I said...most of them didn't have those things consistently modeled. Part of how we can teach them is to model this behavior ourselves, and we do, but part of it will require intentional teaching, which the teacher-nerd in me absolutely loves.

* We're planning to teach them how to keep a calendar (their choice of paper or electronic...we've seen different tenants love different forms) so they can have in front of them a reminder of classes, work, church, Bible study, appointments, and anything else they need to make sure they don't forget. 

* We're planning to teach them how to count backwards in their days so they can make sure they allow enough time for anything that precedes an event. (Work at 8? What time do you need to get up to get ready, have breakfast, pack lunch, and transport to work?) 

* We're planning to teach them how to plan ahead when they need a ride, since most of our driving volunteers also work or have families to tend to - in addition to providing transportation.)

You get the idea...

I guess I say all of this today for two reasons.

First...thanks, Mom and Dad (and all the other responsible adults in my life) for showing me by your example how to manage my time well. I didn't even realize that was a foundation you were laying until...well...now. But thank you!

Secondly...never underestimate your ability to be an example to others in your life simply by the way you live. Even though we haven't been super intentional up to this point about teaching time management, we know our tenants have learned it (to a degree) by our example. They have been known to say "Early is on time and on time is late" because they've heard us say it a few (hundred) times. 

And now...back to my to-do list...to teach to-do lists...