It’s that time of year where we have to say goodbye to summer and goodbye to having the kids at home because it’s time for them to go back to school. In this article, I want you to consider how you can set yourself up for success and how you can set your children up for success to have a great school year.
As many of you may know, I am a 17-year certified Spanish teacher. I’ve spent almost 2 decades in education and have gone to college five times. So, while I was raising my boys as a single mom, they were going everywhere with me because wherever I taught that’s where they went to school. Okay! So from a teacher perspective, I always had to think about what materials I wanted my students to have for the year and then like you, I had to be in the stores buying all the supplies for every teacher. (I know we want the sky with the school supplies Lol!)
So, during back to school season, I do myself a favor and buy more supplies than I need. This, mama, is my first tip.
Tip 1: Buy more school supplies than you need
When you buy more school supplies than you need, especially when prices are low, you have reserves to use throughout the school year and you don’t have to go back to the store. So, think about pencils, notebooks, composition books, crayons, pens, depending on the age of your child, and the things you usually run out of. Listen, if they have school next year, you can use them. Got one graduating and another coming up, you have supplies. I’m not saying get more than you need. I’m saying get a little bit more so you aren’t stressing when they run out.
Now is the time to buy. Remember when notebooks were ten cents? I do and it wasn’t too long ago. Those were the days. Even now at $.35 at Walmart we’re still doing good. Stock up on the notebooks, sis. Also some schools offer the option of giving them $50 (maybe more now) and they have all of the school supplies bundled up for you. There are companies that do this as well. And you better believe that I used to pay for that option when it was available. Save me some time, please.
Tip 2: set yourself a schedule
It’s time to get you and the kids back on a schedule. Yes, those lovely days of summer are ending. And it’s time to get the kids ready for school again. I know some of you have already started school. Here in Texas kids have gone back. Whether you have tiny tots or if you have teens, everybody needs to have a discussion about bedtime. So, think about what works for you. What worked for me as a mom who runs a business when my boys were in school, is I would get up in the mornings before them and I would stay up at night after everybody was in bed. So that means they couldn’t be up all night. So, if you’re also a mompreneur and you want to start thinking about where your pockets of time for you to work on your business are, you need a schedule. I wrote a post over 5 years ago discussing how I see my 24 hours. I look at them ahead of time and find the time to do what I want. This is a skill and a process.
Yes when they go back to school you can focus again. I know you’re sad and hype about it. I’m hearing that from all my mompreneur friends. They can now work on their schedule at least for 5-6 hours. But then with school comes activities and meetings. Right? So save yourself some time by grabbing a planner. I recommend my Single Mom Success Planner. You can find it here on my website or get a color or black and white copy on Amazon. It’s going to help you really see your day and it includes inspirational quotes by me, monthly reflection questions, 30, 60, and 90 day planning as you go, and a place for your dreams and everyday life. I love it and know you will, too.
Tip 3: Create a routine that works
Much deeper than giving yourself a schedule is creating a routine for you and your children. Having a routine that you do every morning and every night is going to help them get acclimated back to school and also be more successful. It’s also going to help you have more mommy time. One of the biggest issues women have when they come to me for coaching is they feel like they’re about to lose their minds doing all the things. And I get it because that was sooo me. I had to take a step back and get organized. I created a program years ago called Organize Your Life and it focuses on home, mind, finances, etc. All of it! But, I didn’t become a coach overnight. I grew as a young mom and once I went through my healing process, I was able to help other moms by coaching and writing books and blogging. I don’t know it all, but I’ve learned a lot and I share it with you.
I spent so much time trying to be like my mom when I grew up. But my mom didn’t work. So the house was always clean, food was always home cooked, and I tried to replicate that as a young single mom with a toddler and a newborn. Sis, I was about to lose my mind. What we have to do is understand that we live in a different time and our circumstances are different. So how can we create a routine and create schedules that suit our lifestyle? Thinking about this will help you come up with the right routine and schedule.
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Tip 4: Give yourself grace
Tip four is much easier said than done, but as you go along, I pray that you learn to say “I’m gonna give myself Grace today and go to sleep.” Listen, there is no manual even though I’ve written what I think it’s one of the best books for single moms out there (Do It Anyway! The Single Mom’s Guide to Living Life and Achieving Her Goals), life is going to life. And so you have to be willing to be flexible by giving yourself grace. Remind yourself about how far you’ve come, what you’re doing to build a beautiful life for you and your babies, and know when you should keep going and know when you should rest. I’m a Christian and one of the major things that helped me was deepening my faith with God. I mean it was crazy doing all this alone and I needed to lean in, so you’ll see me share my faith here often. So, pray over you and your babies. Pray daily and pray with them. Speak life as they begin this new year and give yourself grace as you parent. You won’t be perfect, but you are perfect for them. Breathe. Remember how far you’ve come
Tip 5: Have fun!
Listen, I know it can be stressful having a to-do list at home, at work and then you still have to help with homework and make sure everybody’s doing what they need to do. But, they are only going to be this little for so long. So have fun! Take the time to look at the things that they draw, ask them how their day was, laugh at their silly jokes, look at their beautiful faces in wonder. I know we feel so much pressure to show up at work and to have everything organized all the time, but slow down and watch your babies grow. I know we wish for a partner to bee there helping us, but he ain’t, so you gotta do it. So give yourself the grace to chill out and have fun and don’t take it too seriously.
These are things I wish someone had told me when I was raising my boys and now that they’re young adults I miss these times. When they were little tykes, I couldn’t wait for them to be able to make their own sandwiches and do stuff on their own. But I miss those days so much now. So, just stop and watch them sometimes. Look at those beautiful babies of yours and smile. You’re making it happen for them and for you. I’m proud of you sis! Until the next article, do it anyway!
Did you enjoy this article? Have any more tips for other moms to follow? Sound off below and let’s stay connected. I’m in a new season of parenting young adults, but I’m committed to sharing the wisdom I’ve gained from 22 years of single parenting. If I can save you time, stress, and money by sharing what I know, I will. Enjoy this season and I’ll chat with you soon!
