The Journal of an Honest Mom

Every year, I think the hard part is getting ready for the first day of school.
Then the first day comes.
Surprisingly enough, another school day follows.
And about a hundred more after that.
That means a hundred lunches to pack.
Laundry that somehow multiplies.
School clothes that fit in August but somehow don’t by spring. Or they’ve been ruined by holes from recess or paint from art class.
There are field trips that need tripping, homework that needs completing, folders that need emptying (or putting papers back into), permission slips that need signing, and trying to remember who needs to bring snacks (for themselves or for the whole class).
And that’s just scratching the surface.
Let’s not forget the unexpected sick days or the things we couldn’t have planned for in the first place.
Our family does school a little differently.
My boys go to a University Model School, which means they’re in the classroom two days a week and learning at home the rest. We get a little bit of both worlds, and with that comes its own challenges and routines.
Over the years, I’ve found a few things that make our school days a little easier.
This isn’t a list of things you have to do.
It’s simply a place where I’m collecting the things that work for our family.
Maybe one of these ideas will work for yours too.

School Year Resources:

I will keep adding to this list as I go.

I definitely don’t have this whole school thing figured out.
I’m just writing down the good, the bad, what worked, and what didn’t. Maybe you’ll find something that works for your family. Or maybe you’ll figure out a better way to do the things that didn’t work for mine.
•  Lunches (coming soon)
Because everyone gets tired of making the same old sandwich every day… and definitely gets tired of eating it.
•  Meal Prep (coming soon)
Things I make ahead so I’m not standing in the kitchen every afternoon wondering what we’re eating after school.
•  Shopping (coming soon)
The ways I try to save money without making life more complicated.
•  School Clothes (coming soon)
Buying ahead, shopping sales, and hoping they don’t grow three inches overnight.
•  School Mornings (coming soon)
What helps us get out the door… hopefully on time.
•  Sick Days (coming soon)
No matter how well you plan, somebody always ends up sick at the worst possible time. Here’s how I try to survive it.