One of life’s lessons is the importance of planning ahead. Some people are very good at it while others have great difficulty. Planning ahead is like most of life’s lessons; you need a good teacher. The good teacher is likely to be a mom or dad — but even Mom or Dad have to plan this ahead to make the most out of it.

So how does one go about teaching about planning ahead? The best way is through example.

What are you planning ahead for now? Maybe it is graduation for your child or at least graduating from one grade to the next. Maybe it is changing schools in the fall. This is a good time to show your child what is waiting for him. Take him to his new school or his new classroom and show him what it looks like. Help him be excited about his future.

Talk about the coming summer. What kind of plans do you have for the months when there is no school? See what he wants to do this summer. Help him consider many alternatives. Has he thought about summer programs? If he wants to be in band, should he take some lessons this summer? Does he want to change the way his room is arranged or go through all his clothes to make sure he hasn’t outgrown any more?

Are there books he should be planning on reading that you can make sure he has? If he hasn’t planned any, be sure that you do. Make a plan that includes some time to read together.

Does he really know his math facts or should you work with him on them for the summer?

Does he want to go to a summer camp to learn to improve his soccer skills or basketball or baseball?

Connection is key

Take him out for a cup of hot chocolate and discuss the coming months. This accomplishes more than just planning ahead. This shows him that you genuinely want to help him with his plans. With each conversation, it shows you love him.

See if he is trying to accomplish something special in the coming months. Maybe he wants to buy something he has been wanting for a long time. Does he need some projects to earn some money to buy this special thing? Then you get to suggest ways he can raise the money to buy what he wants.

If his future goal is to raise some money, then you have a chance to see what you need done. Does the car need the winter weather washed off? How about the dog? Could your child learn to give the dog a good bath this summer? Could he wash off the very dirty window the dog leaves his dirty paw prints on?

If you look in your yard, I am pretty sure you have a few weeds coming up. A regularly scheduled weeding time can be of benefit to both of you.

Make sure you plan to go through his papers that he has accumulated this year. Save some but the others might give you a clue what he also should be planning to work on.

You can see that you can accomplish a great deal if you have a plan in place. On top of that, your child is learning the value of planning ahead.

When you see or hear him making these future plans, make sure you compliment him. Let him know you are impressed that he is looking ahead and making plans. Give him a big hug. You each get a hug when either of you begins it. That is a good deal.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. To reach current First Teacher Executive Director Nicole Brewer, email nicole@firstteacher.org or call 360-681-2250.