5 Practical Ways To Simplify The School Year

As another summer all too soon becomes a memory in our rear-view mirror, how can we as busy moms find joy and purpose in the days that feel so mundane and routine once the first day of school photos have long passed our gaze?

Here are 5 practical ways to Simplify the School year as September comes.

1.) Pursue your Family Purpose

God has a unique design and plan for YOUR family. When we get lost in the busyness of all the school year can bring, that plan can become foggy, or if we’re not careful, something in our rear-view mirror. The Bible instructs us that we are to, “teach our children in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) What are we cultivating and teaching our children in regards to our priorities as a family? Are they in line with the purpose God calls to us as a family? Are we glorifying our schedules or our Savior?

2.) Set Systems and Stick to them

Systems are great, especially the first two weeks of school (or first two weeks into the new year! ) but what happens when they unravel? Part of how to cultivate a healthy sustainable system is to make them realistic. Some simple ways our family has done this is:

• Have a “No day” - at least one day out of the week, DURING the week (not on the weekend) where we say “no” to all other activities, commitments, etc. It can change weekly if it needs to, but we’ve found that setting this as a sacred “refresh” day (aside from the weekend) gives us the sustainability and focus we need to re-evaluate and refresh mid-week as a family.

• We have a “one activity per season” rule in our home. Our kids cannot commit to more than one extra-curricular activity per season. This is especially important as your family begins to grow! 

• Self Care - This is the one that gets the most neglected as the school year hits. We have a “take 5” system in our house. When either my husband or I (or our kids) are feeling the pressure of being everything to everybody, or need a moment alone, we “take 5”. This could look like pulling words from a favorite book, a verse we open to in the Bible, a devotional passage, 5 minutes of worship with our Father, a bath, a short walk outside to get the mail, etc. TAKE 5 MINUTES away from the tasks, chores, and little ones tugging at your feet, or teenagers asking for a ride. They will survive, and you will be a much better mom to them when you come back from your “5”.

3.) Preparing Meal Schedules

This is probably the hardest one for me as a mom of picky (little) eaters. However, our weeks run so much smoother when I have a meal plan and prep in place. Keep your recipes in a place where they are easily accessible! There are multiple resources for healthy meal plans available through The Better Mom! Use them! I also love the app Dashing Dish that allows me to make a grocery list from the meals I have planned and prepped for that week! 

4.) Cut yourself (and them) some slack

The first few weeks of adjusting to any schedule is hard and takes time. Remember it’s most likely harder on them than it is on you. Be sure to pray for them as they fall back into the role of “student” or maybe “school” for the first time!

5.) Forget what others are doing, and revert back to point #1

So easily we can be consumed with the clutter of what others are doing. What car Jane dropped Suzie off to school in, the new outfit Clare is wearing as she walks Tommy into school. What activities Tommy is in, verses your child. But truly, the heart of what started this post, is staying in your lane and what God called you to do. Continue to run the race and pursue your families purpose with grace and gratitude. 

Blessings,

Dayna Mager