Towel off the kids and brush up on your long division. It’s that time of year again, when swimming and summer camp give way to studying and schedule management. Whether they’re 6 or 16, going back to school is a big deal for any student, but behind every future grad is a fatigued, slightly-frenzied mom.
When September rolls around, keeping the family running like a well-oiled machine takes time, energy and serious organizational skills. Fortunately, there are a number of tools out there designed to lend moms a hand and make the upcoming 10-month stretch a little more manageable.
Think Outside the (Lunch) Box
Between being health-conscious, allergy-conscious and trade-conscious (yes, kids are still trading fruit snacks for cheese strings), making lunch every day can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task. In order to make this easier on yourself, prepare as much as possible in advance. Chop veggies, mix tuna and package snacks on Sunday nights, so when the week gets hectic you can just grab and go. Faced with a long list of food restrictions? Navigate the allergy minefield by searching online for inspirational ideas. Many sites offer recipe features that will help you avoid troublesome foods like nuts and strawberries. Finally, if you’re worried about your meal becoming part of another child’s plan, head off trading by getting your kids involved in the process. By teaching them about balanced eating and seeking their input, they’ll feel invested in the final product and will be less likely to give portions away.
Get a Handle on Homework
Though moms have eyes in the back of their heads and a sixth sense about pretty much everything, getting up to speed on some subjects might require a little cramming. Use all of your resources to help answer some of your child’s tough homework questions and encourage them to be thorough when conducting research for projects. Spend the afternoon at your local library, interview family and friends, and search for relevant information online to get the full picture on a particular topic. Gain access to world wonders, once out of reach, with tools like Google Earth and Art Project, and continue stimulating your child’s curiosity at home. Is there a group project on the horizon? Take advantage of Cloud-based tools like Google Docs that allow everyone to create, edit and share work in documents that are accessible anywhere there’s an Internet connection.
Reach New Organizational Heights
.jpg)
Soccer practice, dance rehearsals and guitar lessons have the potential to leave you spinning, so create a system that’s easy for everyone to follow. Refer to a wall calendar or mount a central white board that the whole family can contribute to. Looking for a less cluttered way to keep your schedules on track? A virtual calendar is a useful way to share, transport and stay on top of appointments to make sure everyone is on the same page. With the ability to send invitations, customize event reminders and scan multiple agendas in a single view, you’ll stay ahead of the game by being able to recite the carpool, birthday party and extra curricular activities’ schedules in your sleep.
Printer-friendly version