Back to School for Mom!
Can you believe it?! As you read this, summer is drawing to a close and school is about to open! This might have some of you jumping for joy and others of you dreading all the back-to-school insanity. Or maybe you are like I am, finding yourself somewhere in between! Back to school can be a stressful time for children and moms alike, but no matter which side you find yourself on, find a way to make going back to school fun for you, too, not just the kids!
Style Savvy
Many families allow room in the budget for new school clothing, tennis shoes, backpacks, school supplies and such. Kids are happy and feeling their best, but what about you? Consider buying yourself something new, too! How about that new purse you’ve been eyeing? A new suit for work? Or that cool pair of sneakers you didn’t want to spend the money on? Now is the time! Rebecca Powell, Basehor mom of four, says, “I love to grab a new lunch bag for myself. Since I pack my lunch for work, it is a little something fun for back to school for me too!”
YOU time
Say what?! You’ve probably missed a little of this over the summer, so why not set aside some time now that the kids are back in school? Consider looking into local mom groups, such as a MOPS group or Building Better Moms, which Church of the Resurrection offers, or consider starting a group with other moms from your school. This is not only a way to take time for yourself, but also to connect with other moms.
If you prefer solo time, look no further! We are so fortunate to live in an area where finding a place for pampering, whatever that is for you, isn’t hard to find!
Catch-Up
As if this is really a thing, but we can dream, right?! I don’t know about you, but all my to-do tasks, creative projects and appointments take a back seat during the summer. Who am I kidding … they aren’t even in the car! Once school has started and you feel like you can catch your breath for a moment, take a look at all those things you wanted to, needed to, hoped to, planned to get done … and didn’t. Then start chipping away at that list! Go ahead and schedule all those yearly checkups for yourself, gather donations, make the photobook, take the car in for an oil change, get the plumber over for that leak, buy all the lightbulbs that need replacing.
Prepping
Perhaps you are already caught up (who ARE you?!) and want to use the new-found free time you have to be proactive. Bulk grocery shop (imagine Costco … alone!); organize and plan meals for the month; swap out summer for fall clothing; batch cook breakfast burritos, muffins or freezer meals; take inventory of needs for fall and winter—the list could go on forever. This isn’t necessarily a way to have fun, but the fun comes later when you realize you’ve already taken care of things.
Remember that while back to school can be fun and exciting, the season can also hold anxiety and stress for your kids. We moms feel all those emotions and more too! However, once that first day or first week of school is over, and you are all back in the swing of the academic routine, be sure to take care of yourself. Find those ways of having fun yourself—you 110% deserve it!
Julie Collett writes from her home in Overland Park where it always takes her a few weeks to find her groove again once the kids are in school!