Back to School

Back to School

It is that time of year again for kids to leave the warm sandy beaches of summer and head back to school! A bitter sweet time for the entire family.  No more care free days.  Instead, we are all back to schedules, practices, test preparation, etc. etc.  Ok yes, I am sort of happy because my grocery bill will diminish a tad bit and I won't have the constant interruptions while I work.  But the smiles and the "mommy what can I make you for lunch" will be sorely missed.

 

How do I get what has become a rowdy bunch back in gear for this upcoming engagement?  I know it happens every year, but we are never ready.  They haven't gotten back on a sleeping schedule, an eating schedule, a study schedule. All schedules were tossed this summer.

The Habit Factor

Well one thing we have decided to do is read The Habit Factor by Martin Grunburg, as a family. We started reading it before, but we only got halfway through.  We are going to start reading again with the start of the first week of school. From the little that I remember, this book speaks specifically about how habits help us to achieve beyond our wildest dreams. So I want my little ones to understand that even the simplest of habits can have a profound impact on their lives. We will not only read this book but we will take purposeful steps based on what we have learned.

The Schedule

Secondly, yes, I will create a schedule that we can follow.  I said I, but I really mean we, they are quick to say mommy I don't want anymore lessons and my husband and I have come to leave well enough alone.  As I think about it, I realize that we need schedules for so many different things:  cleaning/laundry, music lessons, church activities, leisure activities, school engagements, etc. etc.  We will remember that there is a time to work and a time to play and we will make sure that everything is done in its time.  Not to forget the time to rest.

The Plan

Thirdly we will plan.  Every year I say we are going away on spring break and every year we do not! So depressing.  Things will be different this year because we will plan.  We will take the academic calendar and plan "stay-cations" and short excursions, when there are three day weekends.  For longer breaks like spring break, we will plan out of town getaways.  I believe breaking the academic year up with fun activities will make it feel less burdensome to my precious little ones.  In addition, it will give my hubby and I an opportunity to rejuvenate.

As a mompreneur, life is exhausting enough.  I have to remind myself school is not the beginning of a no fun zone in our lives.  It can literally be summer all year if we instill good habits, create schedules and plan our activities.

 

I will let you know how things are going as the school year unfolds.  What about you?  What are you doing to get ready for back to school?  Let us know by commenting below and best wishes to you and your family for this schoolyear!