Back to School Checklist~Intentional Living Tool
The Back to School Season is one of my favorite times of year! August is brimming with excitement in my house. I’m ready to begin classroom work again and the kids are excited to return to their friends and activities. August is also when our schedule goes from zero to hero in a matter of days. Our oldest is beginning eighth grade this year, and I’m starting my ninth year in classroom. Over the years I’ve learned ways to minimize the strain and stress on our household.
Write It All Down
It may seem obvious, but it’s important to write everyone’s schedule in the same place. We go old school here and write them on our wall calendar. The kids know to check the calendar when they are questioning the schedule. My husband and I also use our family google calendar so it’ll sync to both our smart phones. If we are out scheduling something we’ll still know what’s going on. This task takes about an hour to knock-out. Once it’s all written down our thinking is more clear and we can begin “all the things” (you feel me).
Make Lists and Schedule Time For To-Dos
I know some people aren’t energized by tight schedules. It’s really tiring to make and write to-do lists. Challenge yourself, to stretch for two or three weeks during this season. Schedule time in your days to work on to-dos, run errands, and go to appointments. Flexing your structure muscles for the first time in ten weeks after a fun and fancy-free summer is hard! To help I’ve created Intentional Living Tools specifically designed to take away the heavy thinking this requires. The first is Your Home Productivity Bundle, and the second is our newest addition; Your Back to School Checklist.
Your Back to School Checklist
The schedule at the beginning of the school year is bursting. Our Back to School Checklist takes away your stress. It runs your schedule so you can savor the memories this season holds. Use the included worksheet to help manage all the necessary tasks and get your family launched into the school year without stress. It’ll take care of everything. There are reminders for appointments to schedule and a to-do list most households will need to complete. After coming alongside hundreds of families I’ve also included tips and suggestions to help transition everyone back to school.
Year after year I’ve seen many parents come in my classroom for meet-n-greet, tired and stressed. So I wrote my checklist for them and perhaps you as well. We only get a set number of years with our children. Teaching them to transition peacefully through seasons of life is an important skill for adulthood. This Intentional Living Tool will give you back some mental energy; it’ll help you savor this special time of year too.
Savor the Back to School Memories
Every school year is different but some things always happen in a similar way. Thankfully this gift of predictability allows us to add special traditions to our homes. Perhaps you take a first day of school picture the same way each year. Maybe you allow your son or daughter to pick out a new backpack every August. Mr. PDH takes a first day of school picture with the kids and I (since I teach). We love looking back at how much we’ve grown! We also have a special school supply outing. With a yummy drink in hand, we enjoy picking out all the school supplies needed for a successful year. It’s not just a shopping trip, our conversation is about goals, things to expect and new experiences to look forward to. We’re teaching transition in a fun way for our kid’s young minds.
Give Your Children the Gift of Gentle Change
Children and teens need to know that new things aren’t to be feared and can to a certain degree be prepared for. Conversations and rituals before a season of transition give our young ones the stability they developmentally crave.
You are in essence saying, “New things will happen in your life, but we’re here to support each other and I’m excited about your new journey.”
Another reason I wrote Your Back To School Checklist was to give you the mental energy needed for this really important lesson. You will always be your child’s best teacher. Give them the gift of gentle change, guide and teach them through it.
The Back to School season is one of excitement, change and memories. Don’t forget to make sure your camera is charged and keep the tissues handy. Soon, like me, you’ll begin to see the glimmer of light at the end of the parenting tunnel. Let’s stick together so we can bask in the light with joy for the work we’ve done and the young adults we’ve raised.
With hope for you and your intentional home,
