Staying Sane During the School Year

Schools is heading back soon and so is all the kaos of family life with kids trying to catch the bus in the morning, after school activities, play dates and homework. There never seems to be enough time in the day. Kids’ schedules are so hectic that there is rarely time to just relax and be a family. Where are we to find the time?

Keep reading, there is hope at the end of the day.

Mornings are always a difficult time of the day for parents and kids. Everyone is in a hurry and everything needs done NOW. The trick here is to reduce morning Kaos by starting your morning the night before. Things that can be done the night before should be done, I know that it is difficult to make the time but it will be well worth your efforts with the peace you experience in the morning.

Some things that can be done at night include:

• Packing book bags with completed homework, permission slips signs, gym clothes.
• Lunches can be planned and anything that does not need heated or refrigerated can be packed leaving only quick preparations in the morning because you already know what the kids are having.
• Choosing what they will wear the next day and setting it out.
• planning afterschool needs- who will drive who, where and when! (see calendars below to help with this)

It is important that parents are involved, however our main goal as parents should be to empower our children to be self sufficient and independent, creating a check list of stuff to do before bed can get kids involved and give them a sense of responsibility.

A weekly menu is another key way to make life run smoothing during the busy school year. The few hours spent making up a menu will save loads of time and frustration in the long run.

The menu can be as simple or as complex as you want, include only lunches and suppers or add morning and afternoon snacks. A menu reduces that after work stress of trying to figure out what you’re going to eat and it makes grocery shopping so much easier. One trip a week with a list in hand can save lots of money as well. A menu is also a great way to get the rest of the family involved, older kids can begin preparations before parents get home at the end of the day and making school lunches becomes a breeze.

A family calendar is a must for any busy family. Keeping ONE calendar in the main traffic area of the house such as the kitchen will save lots of time and energy trying to coordinate everyone’s schedules. The family calendar would include all events and activities that are kid and parent related outside of work hours. To make it more fun you can assign colors to family members and their activities would be written in their color. Keep pens nearby and have it easily accessible when on the phone.

Check out this post about Organizing Kids School papers and Schedules for more on family calendars.

With the busy schedule kids and parents live with today the need to get and stay organized is a necessity to keep the family functioning.

The trick is keep things simple and develop habits that make our lives easier to maneuver. Kids will be kids and keeping themselves organized is NOT at the top of their priority list. This is where parents come in, we must be willing to put the effort into helping our children develop these life long habits.

Taking the time now to teach them will benefit them and the whole family. Their grades and your sanity will thank you.