parent by design:

day 1: plan your day

Organise your day.

Keep on top of your parenting.

Make sure your kids develop the 5 core resources.

how the planner works

Most days just seem to fly by; and that's the thing- before you know it, those days turn into weeks and months.

So, we created the planner to help us to:

  • keep on top of the stuff we need to do each day
  • make sure that we were focusing on the most important things about being a parent
  • remind us to help our kids to develop key resources and life skills

The PLANNER is the focal point of our entire day, which is why it's DAY 1 of the programme: here's how it works.

how the planner works

The left side is a traditional planner that helps us to organise and manage each day.

The right side is where we keep track of our parenting and child's development. 

the traditional planner (the left side)

Most of these sections will be familiar to you:

  • MUST DO TODAY: make note of the 5 most important tasks of your day, check them off when they are completed.
  • TO DO OTHER: write down your tasks of lesser importance here. 
  • APPOINTMENTS: makes sure that you don't miss any meetings or appointments you have.
  • MEALS: making a note of what you and the family will eat saves you time and most importantly, mental energy.
  • TO GET: space for you to write down anything that you need to get or to buy. 
  • NOTES: a section for you to jot down anything that comes up, or thoughts you might have. 

the parent by design planner (the right side)

The parent by design side is part planner and part journal, we explain the various sections below.

  • VALUE TO FOCUS ON: write down here your number one VALUE to work on from DAY 2.
  • VALUE ACTION TO TAKE: this section is for you to write the specific activity from the plan of action you devise on DAY 2.
  • OUT OF 10: grade how you did today with regards to implementing your VALUES plan of action.
  • GRATEFUL FOR & WHY: gratitude helps you to feel positive and happy- which is a lovely way to start your day.
  • CHARACTER STRENGTH: which CHARACTER STRENGTH do you wish to help your child to develop (day 3 of parent by design).
  • BUILD RESOURCES: make sure that you help your child to develop the skills they need (dealt with later in the programme).
  • DID WELL: write down at least one thing you did well today- this will help to build your confidence, belief and esteem. 
  • TO IMPROVE: is there any area you can improve? This helps you to remain positive and develop a growth mindset.

download your planner

Time to plan your day!

Download our version below, or you can edit and create your own personalised version. (you'll need a Canva account which is free)

There's no time like the present, so start now.

It doesn't matter if it's late in the day, you can still fill in the grateful for and why, one thing you did well, and the improve tomorrow sections, get into the habit- start as you mean to go on!

download your planner
editable version of planner

tips

  • We like to write out our planner first thing in the morning- before the madness starts.
  • It's always good to look over both VALUES sections several times each day to remind yourself of what's important- you will learn this in the DAY 2.
  • We try, but we don't always complete each activity in the BUILD RESOURCES section, some days you just can't... but, we stay positive because tomorrow is another day. You will learn what these all do in later modules.
  • It's really important to complete the ONE THING I DID WELL and the IMPROVE TOMORROW sections. These really help to build confidence, and help you to recognise that you are making progress each day. This in turn, dramatically improves your attitude and motivation: both critical elements of success!

Good luck and if you have any questions, please get in touch: dominic@lifehacksforkids.co.uk or join the facebook group and ask away in there.

back to the programme