Good Things Come in 3’s!

Back-to-school has arrived and to be honest, I REALLY love this time of year. I love the fresh start and the new possibilities that lie in the year ahead.

I always go into September at home and in my classroom with the best intentions to stay organized and on top of things.  To stay present and not get caught up in the s$&t show of the GO, GO, GO! But in keeping to the theme of honesty, I can’t tell you that happens. Usually by mid-October or even late September…life gets messy and the hamster wheel hits full speed. 

I have learned a few things over the years as a teacher, a mom and a wife about how to stay as present as possible and not get dragged down by the demands of the s$&t show we call LIFE! There are THREE things that I do to help me stay sane within the insanity and have a successful school year.  

First, I DON’T beat myself up for not being the parent who spends all day Sunday, meal planning and prepping so the week runs smoothly and stress free. I find the fact that I feel like I have to meal plan and meal prep stresses me out more, than not knowing what’s for dinner because I didn’t meal plan.  Don’t get me wrong if you do meal prep, or even sporadically do it…which is more realistic in our house, that’s fantastic! 

I have learned to accept that it’s ok to make dinner on the fly.  And I am certainly not scared of the “scatter platter” otherwise known as whatever is in the fridge, on a platter. It actually is our kid’s favourite meal. While we’re on the subject let’s just say DON’T beat yourself up about anything!! Life is too short and there aren’t enough minutes in the day to spend any of them on negative talk about yourself. 

Second, I allow myself to LOUNGE.  I don’t pack my night so full of chores I don’t get a minute to lounge. When I went back to work after having Olivia I felt like I had to spend the night cleaning, prepping and doing things to get “organized” but really all it was doing was making me EXHAUSTED!  

My advice to you is to make it routine to use the time after the kids go to bed for YOU! Doing things that will replenish your body and mind.  That type of organization is FAR more important than putting the dishes and laundry away. 

Third, I ALLOW people to HELP.  Whoever it is, husband, wife, parent, friend…whoever.  If they want to help LET them!  If you are anything like me and have trouble letting go of control…even though I don’t like to admit it, especially to my husband Mike (hopefully he doesn’t read this) I liked to do it all and had trouble trusting him or anyone else do it.  If that sounds like you…I will warn you, you will burn yourself out!  

I said “liked” in the past tense because over the last couple years I have let go and I no longer have any trouble letting Mike take control.  Make dinner, take the kids to appointments, clean the house whatever it is, he can do it!  The balance and joy it has brought to our home has made life so much easier and far more manageable.  

I wholeheartedly recommend accepting any help you’re offered. Who cares if they don’t do it like you, you don’t have to do it and that’s ALL that matters.

To sum all three tips up, a successful school year requires you to be good to YOU because the hamster wheel depends on you being at your BEST…and that means feeling strong, rested and confident.

Don’t worry about what is happening in other homes and certainly DON’T compare yourself to anybody else. You are doing the best you can and that is ALL that matters.  We all need to appreciate ourselves for who we are and what we are capable of. 

This world could use a LOT more kindness and that starts with being KIND to YOURSELF! Good luck in the weeks ahead…take it one lunch bag and backpack pack at a time.