When our local crafts mega-store puts out the Christmas trees, it can only mean one thing…it’s back to school time!

We seem shocked each year, but as backpacks, notebooks, and protractors fill the aisles where inflatable pool toys were just a week ago, we clearly see the summer sun setting and hear the school bells ringing. 

But have no fear; just because schedules get busier does not mean fun adventures are canceled for good! It just might take some creative calendaring to make sure the excitement and joy of summer continue throughout the year.

The late Steve Jobs once said, “My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.”

While most of us understand budgeting our finances, we rarely approach our most valuable resource: time, with the same attention to detail.

Here are three items you can schedule that will help you thrive during the back-to-school season:

1. Schedule fun. Having something fun planned helps us get through the dull days. Dessert after a meal is fun because it’s a sweet surprise. Sometimes, we need that bit of sweetness to look forward to.
   
   Put some fun on your calendar on a regular basis to give everyone in your household something to get excited about. A long weekend to a cabin, a movie night out, arcade/bowling evening, a fall vacation, or even something simple like a hot dog cookout out at the lake.
   

2. Plan to pray. Prayer is a conversation with God. It's a way to share your hopes and dreams, your fears and doubts. It's a way to connect with something bigger than yourself and to know that you're not alone. Praying means when the inevitable stress of busy school schedules shows up, you will be ready.
   
   We offer a completely free resource called “Try Praying” which is geared to those who have never prayed or don’t feel comfortable praying yet. Request your free book here: https://coffeecreek.church/trypraying
   

3. Calendar church. You caught me. Obviously, I am a bit biased here. But over the past 23 years, I have witnessed the benefits firsthand for countless families. But don’t take my word for it.
   
   A longitudinal study over a decade out of the University of Notre Dame showed kids who attended church were more likely to have friends with higher GPAs and who skipped school less often. Even if it just amounted to a tiny percentage boost, wouldn’t that be worth calendaring an hour a week?

While it only takes a few minutes to schedule these types of events on your calendar, each one can pay dividends many years into the future for yourself and your family.

As summer heat and playful splashing in the pool give way to pumpkin spice and everything cozy and nice, take a look at your calendar and schedule some life-giving activities.