Can you believe it?! School is almost here! I thought Florida went back to school early– August 10th, but then I saw on my Facebook feed that some kids are going back this week! That means getting in the surviving back-to-school mindset starts now. Insane! Growing up in NJ, we didn’t even think about school until Labor Day rolled around. It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around going back in mid-August, but the plus side is that we are out in time for Memorial Day, which is a trade-off I don’t mind.
Prep Yourself: Back to School
As we head into August, my mind is spinning on everything I need to get down before the first day– school physicals, backpacks, lunch boxes, school supplies, uniforms bought, shoes bought, etc. It’s enough to make me crazy. But this year I am determined not to let it get the best of me, that means being prepared and making a plan NOW! With 10-plus years of kids going back to school, here are some helpful tips I’ve come up with!
#1 Plan your weekends carefully
For the first couple of weekends after school starts– plan your weekends carefully. Don’t overload the off days with exhausting trips or long days in the heat. I know this will be particularly hard for my family since we love spending our weekends at the beach or river. But honestly, Monday morning hits HARD and it’s just not worth it. Use the weekend to relax, put your feet up, and nap. Once your body gets used to the busy school year you’ll be able to connect back into doing fun things.
#2 Give yourself some grace
If your kids are anything like mine, they go from a free and fun, unstructured 3 months to a full day of adjustment and learning curves as they readapt to the environment. That is hard on little bodies and minds. Expect full breakdowns as they unwind at the end of the day. Try to remember that they may not understand why they have an abundance of overstimulation and feelings that they don’t know how to control.If they come home and break down, it’s not because you are doing anything wrong as a mom. It just means they feel safe being able to come undone and have you as support. It’s a tough first couple of weeks– so let the laundry go and order that pizza.
#3 Write it down
Carry a notebook around with you, or have your Google calendar ready for meet-the-teacher nights, grocery lists, school lists, forms needed, etc. I can’t tell you how many times I had the school call me to remind me to have a form sent in. Now I have my trusty notebook nearby for all those little things I need to remember. It also helps me be able to relax knowing that I don’t HAVE to remember something that I know I’ll probably forget. That brain energy is precious, don’t make it harder than you have to. You can also try one of our FOCUS CBD capsules that will help you make it through the day without the gross slump that most energy drinks give.
#4 Be strict with bedtime– including yours!
One thing is for sure, bedtime probably won’t be too much of an issue because those babies will be TIRED! I know it’s tempting to want to stay up late, especially when you find yourself on the couch with a glass of wine in front of the TV. But you will be doing yourself a WHOLE bunch of favors if you watch the time and head to bed at a decent hour. Getting that full night of sleep will make your day so much easier. If you have a hard time falling asleep, we would suggest taking one of our fan-favorite Kore Original CBD gummies! They are amazing at helping moms like us get the sleep we need. And with the hundreds of reviews, we aren’t the only ones that think this.
#5 Plan your meals ahead of time
It’s tempting to want to just pick up some fast food after a long work/school day, but if you can, start making a plan now for dinners, and maybe even lunches and breakfasts. Freezing meals has become an art of the past, but it’s a really helpful way to not only save money but also have a healthier meal compared to what fast food offers. Pinterest is a great place to search for easy freezer meals you can make now and have ready when school starts.
#6 Take time for self-care
Mental health is something that we don’t talk about often enough, especially moms as we are expected to just take it all as it comes. It’s important for us to put our foot down and claim our self-care time as our own. Whether that means making a run to Starbucks or buying that cute top on Amazon, push away that guilt and make sure you do something for yourself! Our TOUCH line is a perfect way to unwind and relax with our luxurious mineral soak (SLEEP is my absolute favorite, the lavender is amazing– instant relaxation). Most of us can’t escape an hour-long massage or spa day, but dang this sure comes close!
Surviving Back to School
No matter how this school year goes, you got this momma! Take it one day at a time and try to enjoy this transition into a new schedule. Surviving these back-to-school days only last a little while. These days are long, but the years are short! One day we will all forget these tough days and remember the time that makes us smile and remember why we do what we do.
