Ending Summer Chaos
While we will miss the laziness of summer days, and the opt in sport workouts, the back-to school season brings a sense of renewal and structure. For moms, this month can be both bittersweet and exciting. This school year we have two kids entering a chapter of NEW! Our oldest is off to High School and our middle daughter is heading to kindergarten. My kids thrive off of going with the flow and letting their imaginations plan the day, but for me, I can’t stand the idea of not knowing what will happen in the day. I have let loose on my plan ahead ways and embraced the chaos of summer. But mama, I am so ready to be back to my routine of:
- Wake
- Workout
- Breakfast
- Bus stop
- Peace and quiet for 6 hours!
I know it may come as a shock from a mom of 6 but my kids really do well with structure and schedules. My kids’ favorite thing to do is pick their meal of choice for dinner once a week. I am pretty good at making sure we are getting a balanced meal when it comes to dinner but an occasional Mac and cheese with cut up hot dogs never hurt anyone. Another example of getting back to our routine is laundry days. As a family of 8 you could imagine the piles of laundry, especially in the summer months, we accumulate.
Starting a routine
As you prepare to embrace the new normal of school routines, here are some tips to help navigate the back-to-school season with confidence and grace.
- Set Realistic Expectations:
The start of a new school year can be overwhelming, especially if you are juggling multiple responsibilities. Understand that it’s okay to feel a little anxious or uncertain. Set realistic expectations for yourself and your family. Remember that adjusting to new schedules and routines may take time, and it’s normal to experience some bumps along the way. If you kid is not a morning person, plan easy breakfast meals that can be heated up on the fly when you’re running out the door.
- Establish Predictable Routines:
Schedules provide a sense of predictability. When kids know what to expect each day, they feel secure and are better prepared to tackle the challenges that come their way. You can establish daily routines that encompass waking up, mealtimes, study periods, extracurricular activities, and bedtime. Consistency in these routines will help your children develop good habits and manage their time effectively.
- Encourage Independence:
As moms, we often want to do everything for our children, but encouraging them to take charge of certain aspects of their lives is crucial for their growth and independence. By following a schedule, kids learn to manage their own responsibilities and become more self-reliant. This sense of independence will not only benefit them academically but also prepare them for future challenges.
Making chore charts for younger aged kids with stickers, and incentivizing tweens and teens with later hour curfews, shopping trips, or good ole screen time can be ways to encourage your kids to action. A chore chart for teens here. A great hack to make a reusable chore chart is to purchase a dry erase sleeve. Then the kids can start over every week!
You got this!
As the back-to-school season unfolds, embracing schedules can be a game-changer for moms who appreciate organization and structure. Remember, creating a schedule that works for your family might take some trial and error, but the rewards are well worth the effort. So, here’s to a successful and well-structured academic year ahead – one that empowers us to confidently navigate the journey of motherhood and education together.
