Back to School Tips for Busy Moms
Back to school is right around the corner! For busy moms, juggling the demands of school routines, extracurriculars, work, and household chores can seem like an overwhelming task. Fear not, supermoms!
We got your back with our back-to-school tips that will help you streamline your daily routine, stay organized, maintain your sanity, and ensure a successful transition for both you and your kids.
Back to School Tips for Busy Moms
Back to School Prep
Create a Family Calendar: Centralize important dates, events, and appointments in a shared calendar for everyone to access. Now that the kids are older, we share a Google Calendar so everyone can see their appointments and events in their hands. We also still use our fridge calendar. Not only do I put our appointments and schedule on the fridge calendar but I also use it to meal plan.
Shop Strategically: Compile a detailed back-to-school shopping list and take advantage of online shopping, bulk purchases, and sales to save time and money.
Set Up a Dedicated Study Area: Designate a clutter-free and organized space for studying and completing homework. One positive that came out of COVID was that both boys got new desks and work spaces for their rooms. Before schools starts, we will make sure they are stocked up with everything they need: pens, pencils, papers, etc.
If your kids aren’t old enough to do their homework in the rooms, you can set up a portable workstation with our Homework Caddy!
Master the Morning Rush
Lay Out Clothes the Night Before: Choose and prepare outfits for the next day to eliminate morning chaos. We have used hanging organizers in their closets to prep clothes for the week. This helped when the kids were much younger have a little bit of independence and get themselves ready in the morning.
Pack Lunches Ahead of Time: Prepare lunches and snacks in advance to simplify your mornings. It’s never to early to get the kids involved in making their lunches. Help them out a little by using our lunch planner to help them make good choices. By having them involved in packing their lunches, there’s a greater change they will actually eat their lunch!
Establish a Morning Routine: Develop a consistent morning routine that ensures everyone gets ready on time. One of the things I start to crave by the end of summer is the routine that school brings. While we enjoy every minute of our carefree summers, we also need the routines.
Healthy Meals and Snacks
Meal Planning and Prepping: Plan weekly meals and batch-cook dishes to reduce cooking time during busy weekdays. Once the school year starts so do sports and after-school activities. To avoid getting take out all the time, we meal plan: lots of crockpot and airfryer recipes!
Opt for Quick and Nutritious Options: Stock up on healthy, ready-to-eat snacks for both you and your kids. Think of a colorful assortment of pre-cut fruits and veggies, conveniently portioned yogurt cups, whole-grain granola bars, and nut butter packs. These snacks are not only delicious but also packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins that support sustained energy levels and mental focus.
Self-Care and Well-Being
Schedule “Me” Time: Prioritize self-care activities that help you relax and recharge. Grab coffee with friends, read a book, or simply take a nap.
Stay Active: Incorporate physical activity into your routine to boost energy levels and reduce stress. Some of my favorite ways to stay active are taking the dog for a walk, Zumba class, or yoga.
Simplify Extracurricular Activities
Limit Commitments: Balance extracurricular activities with family time and avoid overloading your schedule. While we like to keep the kids busy, you can quickly overload your kids with activities.
Opt for Nearby Activities: Choose activities that are convenient and close to home to minimize travel time. Or set up a carpool with other families to free up some of your time to get other tasks done.
Weekend Planning and Family Bonding
Plan Family Activities: Dedicate quality time on weekends for enjoyable family outings and bonding experiences. When we don’t have baseball on the weekends, we try to fit some family outings on the calendar like apple picking, hiking, or catching the latest movie.
Meal Prep for the Week: Prepare meals or ingredients on weekends to simplify weekday cooking. Once you have your meal plan done, it’s easy to start prepping for the week. Pre-cook your ground beef for tacos or cook a bunch of chicken breasts for shredded chicken.
The back-to-school season may be hectic, but with these tips, busy moms can navigate the challenges with confidence and grace. By embracing strategic planning, effective time management, and self-care, you can create a balance between your family’s commitments and your personal well-being.