WELCOME SEPTEMBER!

Posted Friday, August 28, 2026 5:09 am

By Sally Goldberg | Fountain Hills

OPINION — Welcome September and “Team Family” too! Everyone is on a family team, and now is the time for all the teams to get ready for fall. “Goal” is the key word, and anyone on any team has his or her own individual goals. Who can help each member achieve what he or she is working on? Everyone on the team.

Here is the main idea. “You all work together and not apart,” always there for one another. In addition, you all share the same one big goal — to make life as good as possible for all of you. Easier said than done, like many things.

Here now is a fun, tried and tested way to get this idea going, the “Family Mission Statement.” Start with the most important goal of all: to take care of each other — yourselves, your house (inside and out) and your pet (if you have one). Next, move on to everyone’s individual goals and then turn them into plans. Take turns explaining to each other the way you see the year ahead and all you want to do. Figure out together how you all can help each other. Then go ahead and make your plans.

“Team Family” are you! From oldest to youngest, you all have what you can contribute to the family. No matter how big or small, every member has his or her own special way of pitching in. Mom and Dad, you are the coaches. This is your opportunity to lead your “family team” in a positive direction for the new school year. Each and everyone’s goals need plans. Get those going now. “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Who said that? The Little Prince in the famous book “The Little Prince,” by Antoine De Saint-Exupery.

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