2 Time-Saving Ideas for Back-to-School
Most of the districts here in Texas have returned to school, in person, after a year of virtual learning. While we have yet to know all of the long-term effects of isolation and limited support that comes with quarantine and life during a pandemic, it is entirely possible to meet the new school year with a plan of action!
I was visiting with a colleague recently, who is not a parent, and she asked me this question: “How do moms do it? How do they save their sanity with all the school stuff?!” I had to smile because my immediate thought was “we just get it done” but in all seriousness, if you’re a mother, you know a lot goes into getting it done.
Preparing for the Unknown
What were your thoughts as the day neared for your kids to go back to school? Maybe it was your child’s first day of Pre-K or Kindergarten, or middle school, or high school. Maybe they were returning to the same school. Maybe your adult child is beginning college and moving elsewhere, or they are in their senior year and on the cusp of their career following graduation.
There are so many ‘what ifs’ when it comes to preparing for school, and even more so in a pandemic. The unknown, along with the uncertainty of what we do know, can cause a lot of stress. So how can a mother save her sanity?
Some Ideas for Saving Your Sanity, Moms!
I hope you have your own ideas for saving your sanity, but here is the one that has been most helpful for me:
For everything that can be done the night before, do it the night before. I learned this practice from my mother, but I’ve worked with mothers and families on creating a plan for doing the same ever since I went into community mental health in 2007.
Why does this help so much? You can:
Enlist help from your spouse and/or older children
Reduce the likelihood of unplanned morning emergencies
We’ve all been there, right?! When the little one dumps his breakfast, can’t find his shoes…or the older one wanted to wear a shirt that is still in the laundry. Or you can’t find your keys.
Enlisting your family’s help is a great way to practice communicating your needs. Kids love choices, so you could offer two outfits from which to choose and hang it on the closet door for easy access in the morning. This includes socks and shoes. Put in a load of laundry after dinner so it can be added to the dryer before bed.
Unexpected things always come up with children, but we can save our sanity by anticipating morning emergencies and working to avoid them as much as possible.
Are you a coffee drinker? Make the coffee the night before and program it to brew the next morning while you’re waking up and rousing your children.
Your spouse could assist with an assembly line for making lunches if you don’t do the school lunch and put each one in the refrigerator.
For breakfast, dedicate some time to do ‘grab and heat and go’ egg cups, or protein bars, or egg sandwiches that can be pulled from the freezer the night before to thaw. Protein is excellent for filling little tummies (and high school tummies!) and helping the brain with focus and attention.
Get backpacks ready and sign any homework or folder items at night before bed.
Pick One or Two Things and Make it Work!
These ideas may seem very basic or very complicated depending on your situation. The good news is YOU can make these work for your family and tailor to your individual needs for saving your own sanity. For seasons of life with younger children and babies (and toddlers, anyone?!), mothers will have a heavier load.
I encourage you to not hesitate to communicate to your spouse, or another supportive adult in your life, about your needs for saving your sanity when preparing for school days. Families with older children may get a lot more done in the evenings to save time in the mornings.
I have worked with countless women on setting up an evening routine to reduce morning stress. Notice I said a routine and not a schedule. I have had numerous mothers share with me in sessions that rigid schedules created unnecessary stress because when one thing is ‘off’ or remains undone, it throws off the rest of the schedule. That’s why I love a routine and encourage you to consider it as well! Routines can be consistent but more flexible, and the consistency provides predictability for your family in the evenings that it’s time to get ready for the next day.
While these ideas are tailored to school-age children, stay tuned! I have a post coming soon that draws on my experience as a university professor for helping your adult children preparing for college. If you’d like help navigating some of the back-to-school challenges, and coming up with a plan for enlisting your family’s help, you can reach me here via my contact form or learn more about me here.
Dr. Olivia Wedel, LPC, NCC, LCDC has worked with women in various settings and with a diversity of needs since 2007. Currently, she is a mother, wife, professor, and business owner with previous experience in ministry. Dr. Olivia understands the various challenges that women face at different times in life. She brings a unique skill set into sessions through collaborative brainstorming, goal-setting, and support through a solution-focused, strengths-based framework. She is currently accepting appointments for in person sessions at Grapevine Birthing Center where the office space is peaceful, quiet, and supportive. Flexible telehealth options are also available.