Back to School Balancing Act

How do you prepare for stressful times in your life? Balancing it all can be quite a circus act. I can relate.
I remember back to school time being very fun and exciting for my kids, but it was usually extremely busy and chaotic for me. Gathering school supplies, going to “Meet the Teacher” night, reviewing the kiddos’ schedules with them, easing their worries, and containing their enthusiasm kept our homelife busy. Because I was teaching at the time, I was also busy getting my classroom ready for my incoming students, which was both exciting and exhausting. I loved my job and always tried to make everything just right for my students. I wanted to make sure my students had an organized classroom experience and my kids had a stress-free transition into their own classrooms. Needless to say, life was really busy.  
I know not all of you are in education, but I am sure many of you are busy juggling other careers, managing a household, and experiencing life. As a working mom, I have to spend time getting myself organized and plan things out in advance. I need structure and routine to calm life’s unexpected storms. 
Tips to keep YOURSELF organized:

1. Keep a calendar with dates for work and social engagements.
   
2. Limit social outings so you have sufficient time to recharge. Being a social butterfly, I try to only schedule two social engagements per week.
   
3. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. I like to rotate between yoga, working out, and taking walks.
   
4. Prep meals for the week ahead of time.
   
5. Set your alarm a little earlier than usual and try to go to bed at a reasonable time.
   
6. Spend time goal-setting or planning a path for completing work projects.
   
7. Spend less time on social media to give your brain a break.
   
8. Pick up a book and read it, even if it’s just for ten minutes per day.
   
9. Lean on someone to help you when you need extra support.
   

Tips to keep YOUR KIDS organized: 

1. Keep a calendar with dates for back to school events. 
   
2. Visit the school and find their classes/classroom. 
   
3. Schedule a day when you will get school supplies for your child. Tell them what day it will be and mark it on the calendar. 
   
4. Create visual schedules of the new routine. 
   
5. Talk to your kids about the back to school transition. Answer any questions they have. 
   
6. Review routines that change during the school year (earlier bedtimes, homework workspace, etc.).
   

The more prepared you and your child are, the less stressed out you will both be. Be sure to communicate with your child about what to expect during this transitional time. 

What I have learned: The more organized you are, the better prepared you will be for life transitions.