43
Class teaches how to schedule time to be a super parent
By amanda tonoli
Super Parents, a time-management class taught by Victoria Rush, took place on June 11 at the Boardman library. Rush teaches a reading and studies skills class at Youngstown State University, preparing students for success with planning ahead.
This specific class was geared toward parents juggling difficult schedules between jobs, household chores and children.
Rush said an important thing to remember when trying to manage a successful, yet busy, life is to be all inclusive.
“Include your family in your goal,” Rush said. “It helps to not do it alone — contrary to popular belief, parents are not super beings.”
Rush referenced the popular TV show The Middle as a pop-culture comparison with the importance of planning ahead and the irregularities that can come up and really hurt a schedule.
“You just never know what the day brings,” said Rhonda Wilhelm, a student in the class.
She went on to instill the importance of keeping a to-do list and a set schedule for the purpose of valuing something as inflexible as time.
“A to-do list is your friend, never leave home without it,” Rush said. “I am no superhero. If I didn’t make one, I would be a hot mess.”
Procrastination was a topic that was also covered during Super Parents.
“Procrastinators are made, not born,” Rush said.
Rush provided helpful tips to avoid procrastination — to-do lists actually being one of the tips, as well.
Wilhelm came up with a different way to avoid getting stuck in the world of putting things off – she got rid of technology. She said physical communication is becoming a lost art, especially with cellphones and email.
“We really lose face-to-face interaction and looking one another in the eyes,” Wilhelm said.
Jamie Miller, another student in the class, agreed that communication sometimes hurts her by bringing her job into her home.
“A schedule will really help me put the phone down and leave my job at the door,” Miller said.
Time is invaluable, especially between families and time shared with one’s children.
“Time is just like money except you can’t get time back,” Rush said. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”