Is there life after high school

Hello Week 15 of Project Money and oh what a production it has been.  Is There Life After High School is a musical that debuted in the 80s and had a short run of just 17 performances. Through monologues, it tells the story of the “joys, terrors, envies, hates, and loves” that teenagers experience throughout their four years of high school.  With two teenagers in the house, this reference seemed appropriate this week.  For the Heiss family, school has started for another year; it happens to be year 26 for me.  My daughter is a senior, son is a junior, and my youngest is in grade six.  As the three attend all different schools, it can be challenging to stay organized and on top of all their activities and appointments as well as my own.  One thing I do enjoy though is structure and consistency with shared goals and collective responsibility, and if families work together towards such collaboration, they are bound to be much more successful than when they are anxious or in disagreement.  

Although life is busy, each day is filled with new challenges and goals.  Grace is busy working her first job, beginning to research post-secondary options, and auditioning for her high school musical:  The Little Mermaid.  Miles is focusing on maintaining good grades so that when he gets his driver’s license he will be eligible for a good student discount. He is working a lot with various technology initiatives at his school such as helping the innovation specialist with an upcoming Chromebook deployment for over 1,000 students.  Isaac will be busy with both academics and band and just generally transitioning to life as a middle schooler.  For me, I teach four different preps, attend at least four professional learning community meetings each week and am active both in and out of the classroom.  Project Money has encouraged us to buy school uniforms from a resale opportunity instead of new, me back to school shopping out of my closet, using old markers and colored pencils instead of buying new, shopping at thrift stores whenever possible for the kids, and eating at home instead of going out to eat. 

So as we transition to another school year and as we are participating in month four of our Project Money journey, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.  This week’s Fun Fact includes the following four components: 

Maintain a calm, positive attitude.  Treat all those you meet with kindness, respect, and empathy.  There are always struggles that one does not know about and if we model respect and kindness, we will be much further ahead in our relationships. 

Work smarter not harder.  Whether it be initiatives related to home, school, or place of employment, remember routines one has put into place and practice new habits that one has begun.  For our family, this includes straightening up the common living space a few minutes before bedtime, helping with meal prep and cleanup, and just picking up after ourselves. 

Model structures that encourage mealtimes, homework, and bedtime routines.  This includes sticking to established budgets and meal prepping whenever possible.  So, when my daughter wanted a new pair of shoes, she spent her money that she had earned instead of having her parents foot the bill. 

Lend a helping hand: shopping, cooking, cleaning, being positive and not complaining about not liking something.  We are in this together, have each other, and are very blessed.   Life is really too short to be anything else but happy and tomorrow is not promised.  Life is good. 

#Team Sara #10K #embracethejourney #ProjectMoney2018 #SummitCreditUnion #Lifeistooshortnottotakerisks