Staying Sane During the School Year
Is it just me, or has this summer just flown by? Now, granted, in the Cedar Rapids area, because of our insanely cold winter, we went further into June than the average district, and we didn't really start experiencing typical summer weather until we were into July. All you midwesterners know what I'm talking about. Nevertheless, school is starting mid-August, and ready or not, here it comes.
I'm one of those moms who dreads the start of school. I love getting to spend free time with my children, and I like it when they can get some free time to relax and decompress. So when the school year starts, I have to adjust my mindset. You know what one of the worst parts is though? Acclimating myself to the new busy schedule of multiple kids, activities, taking care of the house, plus my job. It's easy to get overwhelmed. I've had to really work on this to keep myself and those around me organized (and sane). After all, our kids may have a lot of control in our nursing homes someday, right?! (Kidding...or am I?)
I've learned a few little tricks to help me balance all the aspects of my life. I'm sharing them with you in hopes that it makes your life a little easier to enjoy.
1.) GET A FAMILY CALENDAR. I can't stress this enough. Even if you just have one child, this will make a huge difference-as long as you train your family to watch it and add to it. I have one with a space for each family member. (Plus stickers. Stickers make everything more fun.)
2.) Meal prep or meal plan. Annoyingly enough, people seem to want to eat everyday. So this is a good one. Now, some people do great with taking one day a week to make and freeze meals for each day. Me, not so much. However, I do sit down once a week, plan each night's meal, and shop accordingly on my grocery trip. By the way, meal planning does include pizza and delivery nights...
3.) Block out time for homework/paperwork/job catch up. This means putting aside all distractions, especially the electronic ones. Even us adults. If we keep pausing our work to text our wine buddy that we could reaaaaally use a pina colada and a weekend at the beach, how can we expect our kids to resist the siren call of their friends texting them gossip or links to whatever is hilarious that given week? Set the phones in a basket, set a timer, and focus on whatever needs to be done. By the way, this is better accomplished after some down time. Give a little decompression time after school before people have to refocus.
4.) This might be the most important-make time for each other. It's so easy in the midst of chaos to shift to auto-pilot, but connecting with one other is honestly where everything comes together. Take some time to talk about school/activities/life. Ask what you all could do differently to make things better. Pressed for time? I've had some amazing conversations in the car driving to and fro with kids. Let the people in your life know how important they are, and things will flow along easier.
It's a crazy life, isn't it? Fortunately, it's all worth it.
I'm one of those moms who dreads the start of school. I love getting to spend free time with my children, and I like it when they can get some free time to relax and decompress. So when the school year starts, I have to adjust my mindset. You know what one of the worst parts is though? Acclimating myself to the new busy schedule of multiple kids, activities, taking care of the house, plus my job. It's easy to get overwhelmed. I've had to really work on this to keep myself and those around me organized (and sane). After all, our kids may have a lot of control in our nursing homes someday, right?! (Kidding...or am I?)
I've learned a few little tricks to help me balance all the aspects of my life. I'm sharing them with you in hopes that it makes your life a little easier to enjoy.
1.) GET A FAMILY CALENDAR. I can't stress this enough. Even if you just have one child, this will make a huge difference-as long as you train your family to watch it and add to it. I have one with a space for each family member. (Plus stickers. Stickers make everything more fun.)
2.) Meal prep or meal plan. Annoyingly enough, people seem to want to eat everyday. So this is a good one. Now, some people do great with taking one day a week to make and freeze meals for each day. Me, not so much. However, I do sit down once a week, plan each night's meal, and shop accordingly on my grocery trip. By the way, meal planning does include pizza and delivery nights...
3.) Block out time for homework/paperwork/job catch up. This means putting aside all distractions, especially the electronic ones. Even us adults. If we keep pausing our work to text our wine buddy that we could reaaaaally use a pina colada and a weekend at the beach, how can we expect our kids to resist the siren call of their friends texting them gossip or links to whatever is hilarious that given week? Set the phones in a basket, set a timer, and focus on whatever needs to be done. By the way, this is better accomplished after some down time. Give a little decompression time after school before people have to refocus.
4.) This might be the most important-make time for each other. It's so easy in the midst of chaos to shift to auto-pilot, but connecting with one other is honestly where everything comes together. Take some time to talk about school/activities/life. Ask what you all could do differently to make things better. Pressed for time? I've had some amazing conversations in the car driving to and fro with kids. Let the people in your life know how important they are, and things will flow along easier.
It's a crazy life, isn't it? Fortunately, it's all worth it.
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