Back-to-School Routines, Growth, and Grace

The start of school is a time filled with so many emotions. It means the end of summer, but it also brings the excitement of a new classroom, grade, or school. It is a time to see friends again and begin a new routine.

This August brings a few extra emotions for our family.

New Beginnings for Our Family

My oldest daughter, Harper, is headed to middle school and starting sixth grade tomorrow. Middle school is a time when kids are no longer children in elementary school, but not quite the young adults headed into high school. It is a season when they are figuring out who they are and who they want to be. It is a time to try new activities, meet new friends, and grow in so many ways.

Our twins, Ashton and Blakely, are headed to fourth grade. They are now some of the oldest kids in elementary school, with just one year left in our brand-new building.

We are also watching our beloved nanny, Chesney, begin a new journey in graduate school, and today is our last summer day together. She is far more than someone who watched our girls. She is someone we trust, love, and appreciate more than she will ever know.

Chesney has been with our family since she was in high school, first babysitting in the evenings and on weekends. Then, when our plans for the girls unexpectedly fell through one summer, she came to our rescue. We wish her all the luck and success in the world, and we know she is going to do wonderfully. Still, we wish we could stop time and keep her in this role for just a little while longer.

Creating Calmer Mornings

Growing up means many different things. Middle school can bring hormones as bodies change and mature, which can create a little chaos when it is time to get ready in the morning.

I remember the days when my hair would not curl just right or the outfit I had envisioned in my head did not work in reality. I would end up in a ball on my bed with tears flowing, while nothing my parents said, even when it was completely reasonable and sane, could turn the morning around.

Having a routine in place can help create a less stressful start to the day. We often pack backpacks the night before and set out water bottles for the week ahead. Checklists are a lifesaver for our family because they help make sure each child has what they need to be the best version of themselves.

We started using an electronic calendar called Skylight. It not only tells us what is on the agenda for the day, but it also allows us to create checklists for the kids to use. The girls know exactly what needs to be done before walking out the door.

My girls see me carrying around scratch paper with my to-do list on it, and they recognize there is something satisfying about checking off tasks. It gives you confidence that you are ready to go out and conquer the world. Now, they get excited to check off their completed tasks, too.

Balancing Wants and Needs

Growing up can also mean changing interests and added pressure to fit in. I remember asking my parents for certain brand names, clothing, or school supplies because I hoped those things would help me fit in with my friends.

Now, as a parent, I see how those wants can add pressure to a family budget. School shopping can feel especially overwhelming when children are trying to keep up with what their friends are buying.

Parents can help by deciding where it makes sense to splurge and where it is better to look for a good deal. Going into the shopping experience with a budget, a list of needed supplies, and maybe even a coupon can help everyone stay calm and focused.

Making Space for Connection

After school can be another stressful point in the day, and it can be just as busy as the morning. As my girls have gotten older, their classroom homework has increased. There are homework assignments and projects, along with the need for a snack and preparation for practices or activities later in the evening.

Having structure in the afternoon can save families from late nights spent finishing a forgotten assignment. So often, family moments can disappear in the rush of it all, so we try to make sure we come together for a few minutes each evening.

It can be as simple as taking the dog for a quick walk, sharing a small snack before bedtime routines, or lying in bed with them for a few minutes before lights out and asking about their day. Your kids do not need something grand. They need connection and your attention.

In those moments, phones are put away and distractions are kept to a minimum. We also try to spend time with each child individually, knowing that after the third child, it may be bedtime for my husband and me.

Giving Ourselves Grace

If anyone knows me, they know I am the first to make fun of myself. I took all of our back-to-school dates, classroom sneak peeks, and orientation nights and added them to my calendar. After talking with another mom, I realized I had entered the wrong first day of school. Had I not checked in with her, I would have dropped off my girls a day early.

Several days later, I corrected my calendar and will drop them off tomorrow for the correct first day of school. I am still telling this story and chuckling because no matter how wonderful our systems, checklists, or routines may be, there will still be mix-ups along the way.

Take them in stride. It happens to all of us.

Tonight, we will start checking off our to-do tasks. Tomorrow, we will wake up with excitement and nerves. And you better believe I will be racing around with my hair on fire to get everyone to their respective schools on time.

I would not have it any other way.

Cheers to all the students, teachers, and parents out there. We wish you all the best for the upcoming school year. Do not worry—you have got this!