Managing the Mess & Finding Your Focus
Hey everyone,
My children have been back home from college for a long time, but their belongings are still piled up. Our house doesn’t have usable storage spaces, such as a garage, attic, or basement, and it's a constant reminder of how easily life can feel disorganized and overwhelming. I'm sure many of you can relate to the struggle of juggling your own needs with the demands of family life, whether it's managing a messy house or a packed schedule of appointments and meetings.
This newsletter is all about finding your focus and stocking your school-year toolkit with the resources you need to stay on top of it all.
Podcast Updates:
I'm excited to share Episode #136: Mastering To-Do Lists as a Parent is EASIER Than You Think. In this episode, I talk about how to tackle an overwhelming to-do list and feel like you're succeeding, even when you only have a few minutes to work on a project. This episode was inspired by my own struggle with an organized house and the reminder that small, consistent steps lead to big progress.
Webpage: https://waterprairie.com/2025/09/06/productive-parents/
In Case You Missed It & A Look Ahead:
If you haven’t had a chance to listen, last week's episode, Episode #135: 5 School Communication Secrets That Change Everything, is a must-listen as you kick off the new school year.
Webpage: https://waterprairie.com/2025/08/31/school-communication/
Also, keep an eye out for Episode #137! I’ll be back with a special education news update to share what’s happening with the changes in the Department of Education since our last update in August.
Tips for Juggling it All
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the mental load of parenting, especially with the added complexities of special needs. Here are a few tips for managing the daily juggle:
- Batch Your Tasks: Instead of trying to do a little bit of everything every day, set aside specific blocks of time for similar tasks. For example, dedicate one evening a week to planning meals and creating a grocery list, or one morning to scheduling all therapy appointments for the month.
- Embrace Small Victories: When you're overwhelmed, it's easy to feel like you're not making any progress. Focus on completing one small task at a time. Put away one box, clean one counter, or get one piece of homework finished. These small victories add up.
- Use Visual Tools: Use a family calendar, whiteboards, or digital apps to keep track of everyone's schedules. Seeing everything in one place can reduce stress and help you identify potential conflicts before they happen.
Building Our Referral List
As I grow my IEP coaching client list, I want to have a reliable list of referrals to specialists who can help my clients' families. This is where you come in! I'm creating a list of trusted professionals to share with future clients, and I would love your recommendations.
If you know of, or have suggestions for, specialists who serve families of children with disabilities, please reply to this email with their name and contact information or website. I'm looking for therapists, coaches, and any other suggestions you think would be helpful to other parents.
Wishing you a successful and organized week!
Tonya
