My Life’s Motto

If I had to have a life motto, it would be “Keep it Simple“, just like in a previous post of mine.

I’m referring “it” to our spending, our activities, overall – our LIFE.

Now that my boys have started their new school year, there are so many flyers that are coming in their communication folder. There are flyers for band, cub scouts, swim, art, soccer, basketball, school clubs, etc. I’m receiving emails about different studies, groups, classes and clubs that I can join while my boys are attending school.

Yes, I want to be involved and I want to keep busy but do I want to be running around town? Do I want to be so busy that I don’t engage in my boys’ life and thoughts? And I’m talking, truly *engaged*. Am I just the chauffeur? Do I want to forfeit making a family dinner and chatting it up with my family because I have activities each night of the week?

Even with school supplies shopping, can I not just buy a pen? Do I have to have so many choices? Do I want a pen that has a game within it? Do I want a folder that can hold 40 pens and carry an Ipod? Do I want an eraser that looks like a berry and smells like a berry? Do I want a highlighter that’s pink, yellow, blue or green? I mean, what happened to the basics? Let’s get back and focus on the basics. Reading and writing and (a)rithmetic.

Then there’s the clothes. Do they need to be sporting new clothes at the beginning of school year? Can they not wear their summer, casual clothes that still fit and are appropriate for the weather? Don’t feel pressured into thinking that because it’s a new school year, your kids need new EVERYTHING. Keep things simple and use what you have. Don’t spend money that you don’t have to.

So yes, I think I’ll have to write a post every other week or so for a reminder to

KEEP IT SIMPLE.