Back To School Tips For Busy Moms

By Ralph Roberts

Back to school means hectic mornings, busy afternoons and very little down time. As a mom, you’re likely responsible for getting the kids to and from school, making sure they’re fed each day, handling homework and extracurricular activities.

Just thinking about it probably stresses you out. But keeping calm is not only good for your own health and sanity, but it also helps your children stave off anxiety about a new school year.

Here are some ideas on maintaining a peaceful home atmosphere in the midst of back-to-school chaos.

1. Stay Positive
Stress isn’t a result of all the things you have to do; it’s a result of your thoughts about those things. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths, go for a walk and remind yourself that you’re only human.

Additionally, when your kids express negative feelings about going back to school, respond with only positive things. Maybe a silly story about your own school days or a reminder of something fun they get to do in school.

2. Organize Your Life
The biggest cause of stress is being unorganized, feeling like everything is coming at you at once. Find ways to organize that makes sense for your family. One idea is to keep a calendar in a spot everyone sees daily, and write down all activities, school projects, etc.

Another way to get organized in your home is to prepare ahead of time. For example, pack lunches and pick out clothes each night for the following day. Meal plan every Sunday so that you know what you need to get at the grocery store and what you’ll have for dinner every day. This cuts down on the stress of figuring out dinner when you’re already pushed for time.

3. Ask for Help and Say No
Moms have a tendency to overdo. They think they should be able to take on the world and do everything — volunteering, career, housework, social life, etc. But it’s just not possible. The sooner you realize this the sooner you’ll be able to breathe.

It’s OK to say no sometimes. Don’t take on more than you can handle. And remember it takes a village. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner for help around the house and your friends for help outside the home.

4. Practice Self-Care
As a mother, you give and give. But if you’re not replenishing yourself, you’ll have nothing left to give. Find what makes you happy and schedule it into your day—whether it’s going for a run, taking a bath, or reading.

If you're too busy to hit the gym, contact Amarillo personal trainer Ralph Roberts. Ralph Roberts Training can create custom workouts you can do at home or on the go. 

You can also download Ralph Roberts Training's FREE At-Home Workouts eBook!

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