We are officially in the full swing of back-to-school season. Congratulations, Moms. We’ve successfully navigated the long summer months when the kids were always hungry, and always bored. But with the new school year ahead comes a fresh wave of mom anxiety! There is never a perfect cure for mom stress, guilt, and anxiety; it is simply a gift that came with childbirth. That said, I hope these tips will help make this school year less stressful for you and your family.
The Night Before
Preparing the night before will save a lot of time in the morning!
1. Decide on Clothing
Ask your children to set out the clothes they want to wear the next day – shirt, pants, socks, dress, skirts, etc. Having a whole outfit ready to go makes it much easier to get ready without delay in the morning.
2. Find a Bedtime Schedule That Works for Your Family
There are hundreds of theories about how much sleep kids need at different ages. But all kids are different! And the reality is, it can be difficult for school-age kids — especially those with working parents or have lots of after-school activities — to meet those numbers. For example, one of the charts suggests my 8-year-old should be asleep by 7:30 p.m. every night, but she actually gets home from after-school activities at 8:15 p.m. on some days. Every child has different sleep requirements so find what works for your child and your family. Do not feel obligated to strictly follow rules you find in books or online, especially if they just add more stress to you and your children. Once you find that sweet spot, here are 10 Tips to Help Your Kids Get Better Sleep.
The Morning Rush
For those early risers, I adore you. Me? I need five alarms on my phone so that I can hit snooze with confidence. Trying to get my kids out of the door and to school on time is one of our biggest daily struggles. As we continue to struggle every morning, remember these tips:
1. Budget Extra Time
It feels like the whole of San Antonio is under construction, and traffic is one of the main things we can’t control ourselves. Try to add at least 5-10 extra minutes to what you think the drive to school will take. It saves us a lot of stress on the road, and early arrival can help the kids get their wiggles out (or wake up) before their first class starts.
2. Use Map Apps to Navigate Traffic
Even if you already know the route, check the Google/Apple/Wave app in the morning. It can give you real-time updates on the traffic situation and help you plan for delays — before you even leave the house.
3. Prioritize What Needs to be Done at Home
Unless you live very near to school, only some things must be done at home. Our drive to school is about 20 minutes, so my kids often finish their breakfast, put on their sunscreens, and even brush their hair in the car. Be creative with your routine and use that extra 15-20-minute car ride to your advantage.
4. Establish a Routine and To-Do List
Kids need structure and routine, yet they consistently seek control. Create a to-do list and review it with your children; ensure they see it as their task to complete. Once the expectations are made, you will be surprised how much they own up to it. Check out this ACM article on how giving kids a choice can be the key to happier morning routines.
What’s for Lunch?
Have you ever scrolled social media and seen a school lunch box that is meticulously made, so cute, so healthy-looking, and suddenly felt mom guilt and wished you could do the same? Or do you get so irritated and annoyed when your kids bring home their barely-eaten lunch boxes at the end of the school day?
Well, don’t. Chances are your kids will spend 80% of their lunchtime chatting or playing and run out of time to finish lunch. Now we have that lunch expectation corrected, if you still want to make some delicious-looking lunch, here are some tips:
1. Use a Bento-style Lunchbox for Pinterest-worthy Lunch Photos
Believe it or not, even if it’s just leftover mac and cheese and some cookies, they too can look fancy if you put them in a box with compartments! I like lunch boxes with compartments because they help me visualize what to pack for the kids, as they contain spots for each food group. I would start with entree, fruit, and drink for the boxes with three parts and expand to a specific protein and dessert for those boxes with five parts. Bentgo Kids Bento Lunch Box is excellent for portion control and leak-proof, and you can often find them on sale at Sam’s Club. For hot lunches, I prefer Omiebox as it keeps the food somewhat lukewarm until the kids’ lunchtime — it’s also versatile enough to fit a sandwich on days when I don’t want to make hot lunch. They are pretty pricey, so I waited until Black Friday to get them on sale. They are also a little heavy, so make sure your child can open them easily if you have younger ones. You’ll find more about packing snacks and useful vessels in this post.
2. Get More Than One Box
If you can, get more than one lunchbox to cut down on the dishwashing. I have four boxes for each kid, so I can almost go a whole week without washing dishes and let my dishwasher do the job for me at the end of the week.
3. Get Organized
Separating my school lunches and water bottles from the rest of the containers helps me save time in the morning. I LOVE my 3-tier utility rolling cart. It keeps all my lunch boxes, lunch bags, water bottles, and lunch accessories in one place for easy access.
4. Have a Meal Plan
You want to avoid scrambling in the morning to decide what to make for the day. Need some ideas for the lunch menu? Check out some of this ACM contributor’s favorite lunch options here. With over 800,000 lunch combinations + a printable lunch planner, your lunch meal plan just got easier.
5. Have Fun With It!
Remember, there is a VERY HIGH chance your kids will not finish their lunch (or not even touch it at all). So if you decide to make a fancy lunch, do it for your pleasure and have fun with it.
The Pick-Up Line Struggle
I have not met one parent who loves the pick-up line. Towards the end of the day, everyone gets tired and wants to get home as quickly as possible. Here are eight tips to make the after-school car pick-up line not suck for you. In addition, keep these things in mind:
1. Bring Car Snacks
This is crucial for a peaceful drive home. Your children WILL be hungry. Our car always has a designated snack bag to keep the little ones occupied during rush hours.
2. Follow School Directions
Pay attention to your school’s dismissal instructions. Most schools have specific pick-up procedures. Some use apps, some allow walk-ups, some have designated timeframes, and some offer route maps. Ensure that you are up-to-date with the latest directions from the school so there is less interruption to the process. The less disruption and deviation from the directions, the faster the pick-up process goes for everyone at the school.
3. Stay in the Car (or Park Up)
Most schools will likely ask parents to stay in their car during the drop-off and pick-up carline. This is for both safety and efficiency. If you have younger ones who cannot buckle or unbuckle themselves, check with the school for advice on how to proceed. Many schools typically have designated spots for kids unable to get in/out of the car themselves and/or ask parents to park and walk up to pick up their children.
Did You Make a New Friend Today?
If your kid starts a new school, please let them get used to it first. A lot is going on for them during the school day; let’s not add more assignments to their list. They will eventually make new friends at school, it doesn’t have to happen immediately.
That being said, friendship is crucial at school, and that statement applies to both children and their parents. Some of my best friends are parents I met at our kids’ school. Those school-family friends have held us through a lot of school struggles. So try to connect with other parents, whether that’s through birthday parties, playdates, or school events. It will go a long way in making your children more successful at school (and your life easier).
Final Thoughts: Keep Open Communication With School
A lot may happen this school year. Remember, your children spend almost as much time at school as they do at home. It is crucial to keep open communication with the school, especially if you
notice something different about your child. If the school reaches out, please keep an open mind and discuss it with the teachers and administration. They may see something you are not seeing at home, but remember that they are here to help.
What other tips do you have? Feel free to share this post with other parents, family members, friends, or anyone you know who might find it helpful. As the school year progresses, I hope we all have a wonderful experience and a successful school year!
