Continued from page 23 focus on the task at hand or the conversation you’re having with another human. Whatever is vying for attention will still be there when you’re done. PLAN & PREPARE: PLAN MEALS Make your lunch the night before. Go over your kid’s agenda and compare notes. Maybe every Sunday, you can prepare your calendars together. (Double book yourself on this one: Prepare weekly calendar and Good parenting.) Plan for the unexpected, too. Leave space between items on your list so that you’re not always running late. ADD SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS TO THE SCHEDULE: For example, a date night with your beloved: put it on the calendar and include time to get ready, as well, so you get your head right. Don’t show up late and at your worst for an evening with your spouse. Respect that date night as much as you would respect a meeting scheduled with your boss. The same goes for a lunch with a friend or time for self-care. This is good for you and models good behavior for your children. GET REAL ABOUT THE KIDS’ EXTRACURRICULARS: Let’s look at sports. Your son plays varsity soccer and plays on a select team? Your daughter does the same with softball. Your other daughter loves tumbling, but classes aren’t enough, of course, so she’s on the competitive team, which means she and you get to spend entire weekends at gymnastics meets while the other parent rushes to and from the softball game. The chances that your kid will win an athletic scholarship are miniscule. What you spend on these activities probably won’t come back to you. Furthermore, I’ve known teens who did land partial scholarships but were too sick and tired of the sport to do it in college. You know what they will miss, though? Conversations around the dinner table and weekend getaways with the family, even if they act like they hate it at the time. DELEGATE: This is often a control issue. No one does this-or- that as well as you do. But what if someone else’s effort is good enough? If my kid makes her lunch, it’s kind of messy. She pulls the crust off the sandwich and come lunchtime, the mayo will get her hands gooey and it’ll probably get on her clothes. So what?! The way she does it is good enough. Put all the things that truly matter on your calendar. Include those times you hide in the bathroom adding to the Amazon cart. Exercise discipline, starting with social media limits (and write that down on the agenda). Your calendar might appear fuller, but it won’t be filled with clutter. Then delegate when possible – not when perfect; when possible. When you reflect on your days, you will see more meaning and even discover additional ways to find more leisure and love. Editor’s Note: Deborah Dobbs, M.A. is a sociologist with 21 years experience at The Counseling Place, a non-profit agency dedicated to strengthening emotional health in people of all ages. You can reach her at 469.283.0242 WOMEN’S AUXILIARY TO CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO Platinum Pinstripes Sponsors Gold Lame’ Gown Sponsors Sandy Brennan Blue Ribbon Roofing Media Sponsors Silver Stilettos Sponsors Atmos Energy Capital Advisory Group Chicago Title Children's Health Brent Christopher Allison & David Doyle Holidaze and Gifts The Jan Richey Team Junior League of Collin County Michelle & Jon Lauck Linda & Robert Paulk Justine & Sean Sweeney Donna & Jim Watkins Love Life Foundation Rene’ & Hank Neely Individual Tickets are $125 To purchase go to www.legacyoflovebenefit.org Betty & James Muns Foundation Presenting Sponsor Jennifer & Dalton McGaha Diamond Designer Sponsors 6455 N. Dallas Parkway Plano, TX 75024 April 12, 2018 5:30 PM . Sips & Savory Bites 7:00 PM . Runway Show Emcees, Sonia Azad, WFAA-TV & Chuck Steelman, Neiman Marcus. Special guest appearance by designer, Michelle Smith. Featuring designs by Fashion Presenter Benefiting The Power Group Top Tier Party Rentals Party Favor Sponsor Party Rental Sponsor Tracy & Steve Tomson Carrie & Jim Benson Ashleigh & Ben Pogue Pam & Craig Wohlers