When I was a kid, back-to-school shopping was a seasonal right of passage. The brand-spanking-new binders, primo lunchbox (think Hello Kitty and the Smurfs) and my razor-sharp HP pencils herald a time of anticipation and excitement. But today, as a mom, back-to-school shopping can signal the start of a super stressful month where an avalanche of texts and emails threaten to throw me off my mamma A-game. And navigating a new schedule, new teacher and sometimes new school ain’t for sissies!
So if you’re like me and would welcome a more chilled-out September here are four simple ways to do just this:
1. Extend your summer and plan for a great 2018 now. September doesn’t need to mean a cold-turkey-end to your summer. Instead, consider bridging the gap between your care-free vacation and back-to-school-grind by including some after school beach-time, adventures or picnics. It’s also my favourite time of year to jot down ideas that can make next summer rock. What worked? What didn’t? Pop a note into your calendar, so you can remember what’s truly important when you start planning your 2018 summer schedule. Missed out on something? Did too much? Too little? This is the best time to take stock.
2. Have the courage to de-commit and say a polite “no!” When it comes to all the responsibilities and extracurricular activities, you can always add in more later on. Ideally, we’re looking for that ‘goldilocks-approach’ to a balanced schedule. So my girlfriend, has declared this September to be “the season of saying NO.”
I’m committed to join her on this boundary-setting bandwagon and invite you to do the very same. And really, what’s the harm in seeing how your schedule goes without plugging too much in? Too often it’s F.O.M.O. (Fear of Missing Out) that bites a family in the royal rear-end and also has parents at the scheduling helm pulled in a million different directions…not the prettiest look. True? A chalk-a-block schedule, filled with too many things you and the kiddos even like, can quickly mean you don’t like your family life, nor the kids. Too busy a schedule can also increase the chances of experiencing more melt-downs (both yours and the kids) and more dramatic ones at that!
3. Depressurize the fall stress by asking more positive and insightful questions. Ask things like:
- How could we make our back-to-school easier…even more fun?
- How can we make this the best season yet?
- What support do we need to put in place, that would better help us navigate our week? Are there any tech boundaries or tech-free weekends that would make all the difference?
- What’s my mama, or papa bottom-line for self-care?
- How can I make my self-care an absolute?
- Any mealtime hacks we need to set in motion?
4. Nip your sleep routine in the bud now. Finally, I’ve saved the most important tip for last. This is the simplest, yet most overlooked back-to-school basic that can literally make or break the schedule. If you wanna give your child the best academic edge, wanna keep emotions steady and better tackle your days with energy, patience and enthusiasm…well, getting the zzzzz you all need is a must!
By putting these four commonsense back-to-school tips in place you can reduce anxiety, boost energy, and give your family the peace-of mind you all deserve.
So may the school days ahead be calm, joyous, and peaceful for you and yours!
Wanna get your family schedule and routine on the joyfully parenting fast-track? Join Kelly and the Mamma Mastermind which starts this fall right here on Bowen by calling Kelly at 2376
