It’s never too early to encourage your child to be organized, but middle school is the age when kids start to become more independent; it’s time to start shifting the responsibility from parent to student. So, here are some tips to organize your school kids:

• Place near the door a rack for outerwear and a shelf or mat for shoes. Have kids deposit their coats, hats, gloves, shoes upon entering. Each evening, they replace with tomorrow’s shoes and jackets.
• Have kids empty their backpacks when they arrive home. Provide a basket in which they can place anything for parents’ review.
• Make sure your kids have a well-lit place to do homework. Teach them to use in/out trays to ensure no homework is missed.
• Give them chores. Teachers report that kids who regularly do chores at home are more responsible in the classroom.
• Help kids manage their time. Teach them to list all their responsibilities (chores, homework Article Submission, and soccer practice) and how much time each will take.
• Prepare each evening. Pick out clothes and shoes. Pack lunches. Set out breakfast. Place backpack by the door.
• Make an out-the-door checklist. Note everything they need to take to school. Post it on the door.

Even though I feel a bit disappointed about the negative comments from our visitors, I’ll just think about the positive side of it. It’s considered a challenge for me rather than ridicule. Another thing is that I was able to appreciate my weight loss. I have seen my husband’s sister-in-law who balloon after several years. I can clearly say that I am a success. Last few months I am bigger than her. But it’s the other way around this time even though the best fat burner I requested from my daughter did not materialize.

It only goes to show that I still have the chance to get my desired weight in the long run. I just need to continue the discipline I have now. I don’t want to look like my husband’s sister-in-law again. I’ve been through that and I have enough.

When we celebrated my daughter’s 27th birthday, we invited some of our relatives. One is my nephew and his kids, my husband’s sister-in-law and daughters and their family. At first we have lots of fun. But, my husband’s sister-in-law acts rudely as she ridiculed our house. She said terrible words repeatedly, which I just accepted. Of course, those words are painful to me.

My daughter’s explanation is that she might have felt there are no boundaries. And she could say anything to her family. That is a bit of a relief. Okay, I’ll just have to let that go.

I also complaint to my daughter the cracks in the granite tile in our bathroom. We really need to change those to make the bathroom flooring look good again. However, she also raised the issue that if I change one or two tiles, it will stand out from the rest. Instead of fixing the problem, I might worsen it. The only way is to change everything. If that is so, then I have no choice, but to leave it alone for the moment.