How to Beat the Back to School Blues

The end of summer and beginning of school comes with a lot of different emotions. The changing of seasons brings happiness for new beginnings, but also some tears because time is flying by. Another summer is just a memory, and now we get back to business — school, work and the Holidays rapidly approaching!

For moms, that period of time between the end of camp and the First Day of School can be HARD AF. It’s constant kid-time, and the lack of schedule is enough to make anyone go insane. Moi, included! If you throw getting ready for school into the mix, then you’re really in for it! And listen, if you’re reading this, and you’re one of those moms who’s really got it all together and think this is easy, well, good for you, but #youcantsitwithus. Also, can you come handle all my stuff, while you’re at it?! Ok, moving on!

So while this season is hard, it doesn’t have to be TOO hard. That is, as long as you have me to remind you of a few things that are easy to forget. So here’s your Back To School Basics Checklist and some #MomHacks to go with it. Stay sane, ladies! School is almost here!

Create a command calendar.

If you don’t already have one — this is a must! Have a place where you can keep track of everyone’s activities and appointments. I like to use a different color for each person in the family. In fact, I have 3 places where I keep everyone’s schedules — and I still manage to forget things! I have a whiteboard on our refrigerator so that whoever is home with the kids can see their activities (color coded) by day of the week. I also have a planner that I use for business, my to-do lists and to manage my events and sponsored content, so I include family appointments here as well. And to finish it off, I have everything on my iPhone in my Google calendar. Gotta love those reminders! 

Establish Routine Again.

A few days before school starts, start making bedtime earlier again, and talking to your kids about the morning routine. Even if they’ve only been off of camp for a couple of weeks, it’s easy to slip into laid back habits. The first day of school will be a SHOCK to say the least if no one is prepared for this shift.

Here’s a FREE downloadable Routine Chart to help your kids visualize the new routine!

Organize drawers and go through clothes.

Now’s the time to start going through drawers again! Figure out what fits, what doesn’t, and what is going out of season soon. Then you can assess what you need to buy for the upcoming season so you don’t buy 5 new long-sleeve shirts, when you forgot about the 10 you already have in the back of the drawer.

Now listen up! The BEST way to fold clothes is vertically. More clothes fit in the drawers, but it’s great for strong-willed kids who want to choose their own outfits. When you fold and organize drawers vertically, you can easily see each shirt or pair of pants. That means, 3 year old diva can choose her own outfit without completely turning her clothes and drawers upside down.

Pick out clothes the night before.

This has been a big one in our house. It alleviates the pain of toddlers who want a choice and that choice taking FOR EV ER in the morning. When we both pick out her clothes the night before, she barely argues the choice in the morning. It saves us time and frustration. Sometimes she even takes initiative and gets dressed before she comes downstairs. Those are the days when I am totally #winning.

Make your lists and check them twice.

Double check your school supply lists, and buy everything now so you’re not scrambling the night before school (or the morning of!). Also, make sure to check the first few days of school schedules because sometimes the hours are different than normal, especially with younger kids. And start labeling things as you buy them so you aren’t panicking the night before school starts. I think this all just drives home the concept of plan ahead. 

This labeling and organizing gives me energy because I’m super Type A, but I know it can be daunting to a lot of people. I truly feel that if you try and get things done bit by bit instead of all at once the night before, everyone will be happier. And you might even feel like Super Woman. And I hope you ALL feel like that because EVERY mom is super woman. And once the kids are finally back in school, treat yourself to a drink, we ALL deserve that for surviving the summer! 

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