Communication is Critical
by Devon Fleming on November 25, 2009 at 12:06PM
Summertime can be a wonderful time of year. It can also be daunting, as so many modern moms are faced with finding activities for the children, and given the economic climate budgets are on the minds of many. With the added summer fun and lack of a regular schedule for the kids, household managers have less time to handle the day-to-day tasks of staying organized and on top of the house, handling the finances and generally keeping everyone happy and healthy. Household CEOs – my term for today’s modern women who may or may not work outside the home but definitely run the ship at home - are leaders by nature. We are the ultimate multitaskers, yet few of us use our business smarts when managing life at home. The time has come to take the business of living seriously, using tools and proven business methods to get things done. The profit of this mindset is extra quality time with your family, friends and yourself. Who doesn’t want that?
Your Communications Plan
Every business needs to be able to convey its mission and its plan – whether it is to attract new clients, find investors, sell a new product or manage employees – communication is key. The same is true in the family, your team players. I am continually amazed at how few families actually sit down together and communicate (effectively) towards their common mission. Given the technological advances, so many of us are ‘virtual families’- we communicate electronically and spend less and less time together. When I find myself texting my 15 year-old daughter more often than I see her, it’s time for an in-person communications intervention.
So, what’s your family’s plan for the summer? What’s already scheduled (camps, family trips, visiting relatives, etc)? What’s pending? What goal or goals does each member want to accomplish? These questions and more can be addressed a fun family meeting. In my house, we pick an “easy” night like Sunday or Monday, make a fun meal like tacos and make your own sundaes to set the tone, and then make a plan for the next week, month or even the whole summer. As the CEO, keep things on track by printing out an agenda for each person and assign a family “secretary” to take notes. Encourage creative brainstorming where no idea it too “out there,” even if it’s unlikely to happen this summer. The idea is that your family it getting to know each other, you’re identifying short-term and long-term goals and needs, and it’s fun right in the moment! Your daughter wants to go to Paris? Write it down. Your 13 year old son wants to build a rocket? It goes on the list. Your husband wants to golf at least once a week? Put it in writing. Don’t forget to include some of your needs and goals, too! Household CEOs often need to be reminded of that!
Once everyone’s ideas are on the table, discuss the feasibility of each and make plans where you can. Determine each member’s general responsibilities of the household as well as any additional ones to help them reach their goals. If you son wants to build the rocket, perhaps he needs to research any local resources to help him (a rocket club?) and then earn the money to buy it? How will he do that?
In our house we find it helpful to create a chart of chores and goals. Rewarding good behavior or ‘promoting’ their privileges is a nice motivation. If your kids are old enough to have email, send them updates on their progress during the week and friendly reminders if you see areas that need more attention. Continue to schedule family meetings to discuss the progress made and check in to see if anyone has changed their goals. Just as with any business, the ability to adapt to changes and new circumstances is vital – helping your family by checking in and letting them know it is okay, and often the best decision, to re-assess a goal and change course if needed.
The result of this communications plan? A family who knows the plan – the overall family plan and their own personal one. With clear goals, each member of the family can feel secure and confident in the weeks and months ahead. And, if you’re really lucky, you’ve just cut down on the number of times you’ll here “Mom, I’m bored!”
Devon Fleming is considered the area’s Home and Lifestyle Expert. She writes books, articles, blogs, and other online content. She provides 'Fairfield County Living Tips' on four local radio stations and appears on area TV providing lifestyle segments and "solutions for the modern woman."
Communication is Critical
By Devon Fleming, Posted 25/25/09 12:06 PM
Summertime can be a wonderful time of year. It can also be daunting, as so many modern moms are faced with finding activities for the children, and given the economic climate budgets are on the minds of many. With the added summer fun and lack of a regular schedule for the kids, household managers have less time to handle the day-to-day tasks of staying organized and on top of the house, handling the finances and generally keeping everyone happy and healthy. Household CEOs – my term for today’s modern women who may or may not work outside the home but definitely run the ship at home - are leaders by nature. We are the ultimate multitaskers, yet few of us use our business smarts when managing life at home. The time has come to take the business of living seriously, using tools and proven business methods to get things done. The profit of this mindset is extra quality time with your family, friends and yourself. Who doesn’t want that?
Your Communications Plan
Every business needs to be able to convey its mission and its plan – whether it is to attract new clients, find investors, sell a new product or manage employees – communication is key. The same is true in the family, your team players. I am continually amazed at how few families actually sit down together and communicate (effectively) towards their common mission. Given the technological advances, so many of us are ‘virtual families’- we communicate electronically and spend less and less time together. When I find myself texting my 15 year-old daughter more often than I see her, it’s time for an in-person communications intervention.
So, what’s your family’s plan for the summer? What’s already scheduled (camps, family trips, visiting relatives, etc)? What’s pending? What goal or goals does each member want to accomplish? These questions and more can be addressed a fun family meeting. In my house, we pick an “easy” night like Sunday or Monday, make a fun meal like tacos and make your own sundaes to set the tone, and then make a plan for the next week, month or even the whole summer. As the CEO, keep things on track by printing out an agenda for each person and assign a family “secretary” to take notes. Encourage creative brainstorming where no idea it too “out there,” even if it’s unlikely to happen this summer. The idea is that your family it getting to know each other, you’re identifying short-term and long-term goals and needs, and it’s fun right in the moment! Your daughter wants to go to Paris? Write it down. Your 13 year old son wants to build a rocket? It goes on the list. Your husband wants to golf at least once a week? Put it in writing. Don’t forget to include some of your needs and goals, too! Household CEOs often need to be reminded of that!
Once everyone’s ideas are on the table, discuss the feasibility of each and make plans where you can. Determine each member’s general responsibilities of the household as well as any additional ones to help them reach their goals. If you son wants to build the rocket, perhaps he needs to research any local resources to help him (a rocket club?) and then earn the money to buy it? How will he do that?
In our house we find it helpful to create a chart of chores and goals. Rewarding good behavior or ‘promoting’ their privileges is a nice motivation. If your kids are old enough to have email, send them updates on their progress during the week and friendly reminders if you see areas that need more attention. Continue to schedule family meetings to discuss the progress made and check in to see if anyone has changed their goals. Just as with any business, the ability to adapt to changes and new circumstances is vital – helping your family by checking in and letting them know it is okay, and often the best decision, to re-assess a goal and change course if needed.
The result of this communications plan? A family who knows the plan – the overall family plan and their own personal one. With clear goals, each member of the family can feel secure and confident in the weeks and months ahead. And, if you’re really lucky, you’ve just cut down on the number of times you’ll here “Mom, I’m bored!”
Devon Fleming is considered the area’s Home and Lifestyle Expert. She writes books, articles, blogs, and other online content. She provides 'Fairfield County Living Tips' on four local radio stations and appears on area TV providing lifestyle segments and "solutions for the modern woman."
