Falling Back-to-School With Ease
Hot summer days are still in full swing, and as the sun starts to set earlier and earlier each day, we are quickly approaching fall and are officially in the back-to-school season!
Whether you homeschool or send your children to public/private school, no matter what the situation, September is a vibe in itself (the second new year of the year). We are approaching a busy season, so there is no better time than now to streamline and revamp our routines.
Tip #1: Streamline and simplify your meals.
Meal planning is non-negotiable if you intend to live an organized and healthy lifestyle. I always carve out an entire time block each weekend (this could be 1-4+ hours depending on how many people you are prepping for) to plan out my meals for the week/month and then cook and prep them. You can even split it up into a few days. I usually wash and cut veggies and cook and prepare meat one day, then bake another day. But this season I want you to simplify your meals.
Some easy examples would be:
Monday-Meatless Monday (pasta dish, etc.)
Tuesday-Taco Tuesday
Fridays- order out or make-your-own pizza day
If you know you have a few nights you are super busy with activities in the evening, plan a crock pot meal the night before or a make-ahead freezer meal. Be sure to attach directions so anyone can pop it into the oven to cook. Make a plan and stick to it each week so you know what you are generally having for any day of the week. Less thinking and everyone is enjoying a hot, healthy, delicious meal.
Tip # 2: Look ahead and plan out the season:
List out activities you want to do this season. Find out when they are (events/apple or pumpkin festivals, hayrides etc.) and add them to your calendar. The season of apple and pumpkin picking comes and goes far too fast. Scheduling everything helps ensure you don’t miss out on vital family time, memories, and fun.
Start to prep and plan your pantry for the season. This goes back to my meal prepping. You don’t want to rush to the store right before you have to make pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving (it’ll be here before you know it) because you’re out of pie filling. I personally make 90+% of my food homemade so it benefits me to keep my pantry stocked because I will use it. If you know you always make certain chilies, soups, desserts, or whatever your family loves, be sure you are stocked up on those spices, meat, and ingredients you need. (Side tip: every time Aldi has their 100% perfect grass-fed ground beef on sale I stock up and keep it in my freezer because I will always use it for my taco Tuesdays, chilis etc.)
I even start drafting my kids’ Christmas lists (I make registries for my family so I can send the lists to them when they ask what the kids need) and plan any big parties I will be hosting. Additionally, because my two littles have late November and December birthdays, I start planning parties early so they don’t overwhelm me all at the same time. Planning ahead benefits your mind, space, and budget.
Tip #3: Homeschooling:
Take 30 minutes to an hour to prep for the week. Make sure this is done before your weekly shopping trip so you can add anything you need to your list. You can also make time to plan any field trips, library days, or activities for the week or month. Most importantly, set aside time at night to prepare for the next day so you can hit the ground running the next morning. A good start to the day starts the night before. This includes having your house in order, your homeschool room or area set up, clothes picked out, bags ready to go, and food prepped. No matter if your kids go to school or you go to work, in order to start the day off stress-free and productive you have to prepare the night before. Your tomorrow self will thank you!
Tip #4: Don’t over-schedule your kids or yourself:
1 Timothy 4:14-15 says, “Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through prophecy….be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”
This just speaks to me about how important it is to know what you are called to do for that season and stick to that. God gives you grace for what you are called to do. For me in this season (some stay through every season), my relationship with the Lord is priority (this should be everyone in every season they are in).
“The cure for exhaustion is intimacy with Jesus.”
God gives us grace and mercy every morning, praise God! We give the Lord our first fruits so that should include the first part of your day. We should always start the day by praising the Lord and spending time with Him through His word and prayer. Restructuring your day accordingly should be a priority.
Next, I prioritize serving my husband and our relationship. We are called to serve people (especially our spouses) so make sure you are not filling your plate with things that are taking you away from serving and making sure your spouse has what they need and desire.
Also, my children, including my relationship with them and— for me, homeschooling. I have three children, two of whom I homeschool. Making sure my life is organized around that and making sure all three are taken care of in all areas.
Also. my home (which continues to fall under taking care of my family) and then focusing on what I am called to do and my specific purpose beyond that (this is personal for everyone). The Lord is not going to call you to something and have your home, family etc. fall apart. He will give you grace, but you need to learn to hear His voice, and then be disciplined to get your life in order to accomplish what He tells you to do. Don’t over-schedule yourself or your kids because you think having them involved in a ton of activities will make them happier, or with things that don’t matter.
Ask yourself; You can, but should you?
Tip #5 - Work on 1 task at a time:
We can’t multitask as well as we think. We may be able to “multitask” with auto-pilot tasks—the tasks we are used to doing like a lot of us do as moms or women in general, but when it comes to important tasks try setting a timer and working on things for at least 15-20 minutes at a time. Focus on one thing, and you will get more done than you think.
The bottom line is to ask God for wisdom and favor in this season. Learn to hear His voice for what you are called to do this season. God will give you the grace for it, but you need to stay disciplined and obedient. In doing so, you will have a blessed new back-to-school season and year!
Here are some scriptures and prayers to focus on this year:
Thank you, Lord for your Holy Spirit who helps and guides us in and through all things. Thank you that as we learn to listen and obey your voice and word we will excel in everything we put our hands to this season. We have the mind of Christ and we thank you for your supernatural favor, abundance, protection, grace, and wisdom this year for us and our children. Thank you that you give us eyes to see and ears to hear everything You have for us and that your desires and will for our lives become our desires. Thank you for supernatural discernment in every area. And thank you Lord that as we put you first and do our part you will reveal to us and give us exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever imagine. Thank you your promises for us never fail. In Jesus name- Amen!
1 Corinthians 2:10-12
2 Corinthians 9:8
Ephesians 3:20
1 Chronicles 4:10
Romans 4:20-21
Proverbs 16:1,3 &9
Psalm 91