Solution #2: Another set of keys.
A family member has misplaced his keys. This one little foible has complicated things, by necessitating other family members having to come home to let the lost-key family member in the house, plan around them, etc. We used to have a back-up key, but a winter garage break-in caused us to change our ways. And Yes, I know, the real answer is for lost-key son to find his keys. But today’s solution is to suck it up and get another set of keys made.
Solution #3. Stock the Mom-Envelope.
The Mom-Envelope, with $40-ish dollars in small bills, is sadly empty. A trip to the bank will solve the emptiness, and the Mom-envelope will be able to again solve morning scrambles for a few $$ here and there.
Solution #4: A Full Tank of Gas.
Luckily, I gassed up the other day. But as I did, I recognized how having a full tank of gas eliminates a lot of worry (or conversely, worrying about running out causes a lot of stress.)
Solution #5: Fully charged technology.
The strategies are having multiple chargers and just one place to charge stuff (the kitchen counter). Mysteriously, last night we discovered some of the chargers have wandered off, so a goal for today is to round them all up and keep them where they belong. I have also started carrying an extra charger in my car. A recent quote from the Minimalists reads “If your phone is constantly ‘about to die,’ then maybe it’s not the phone that has a problem.” (click here for the full article)
Solution #6: Communications.
My youngest is a rock star when it comes to reviewing the plan for his day. Before going to sleep, and again in the morning, he reviews out loud what’s in store for his next 24 hours or so. “Ok, Before-Care, then Band and Boy Scouts, right? And I already packed my lunch.” This helps us both to plan ahead and remember the details.
Solution #7: A Clean kitchen counter.
A quick way to de-rail movement in my morning is a messy kitchen. Can’t make my coffee, eat breakfast, make smoothie, work on breakfast for the little guy, etc. We left early and in a hurry, but that is the first thing on my list after I publish this!
Mom envelope! Brilliant! Thank you!
Thanks, Sue! It has saved us many times! “Mom, I neeeeeddddddd $4 for he field trip, $2 for dress-down day, there’s someone at the door collecting for x, y or z….”, well, you get the picture!