Back to School | 16 Ways to Keep Your Sanity
It’s that Back-To-School time of year.
Back to scheduled days. Scheduled bed times. Scheduled meals.
Back to busy days. To car pooling the kids to sports and fun events.
What is a Mom to do in order to keep her sanity?
What can you do to keep the home a safe place for everyone? A place where they want to bring their friends.
I can still remember when September came around, the whole world of lazy hazy days of summer came to an abrupt end. So, whether you are a single parent, a homeschool parent, or if your kids are in public or private school, I’ve been pondering today what might be helpful for you right now.
Start with Jesus
With the Lord, no matter what else is going on. Each morning, turn your face toward Heaven and start confessing who the Lord is. Name His qualities. (Shepherd. Healer. Protector. Provider.) Name His titles. (Lord. Savior. King. Creator. Father. Friend.) Praise Him for His attributes. Behold Him and Believe. Believe He will meet your every NEED. EVERY DAY! Share what you are learning with the kids! And don’t forget: Get in the Word as soon as you can each day.
16 Ways to Keep Your Sanity as Your Kids Go Back to School This Year
Now, for the day-to-day back-to-school stuff. Here are a few ideas…
- Figure out what is working.
- Do more of it. Stop doing what’s not working.
- Start with 5 minute wake-up snuggles in bed. Prayer. Bible verse. Then, a good nutritious breakfast. No less than 10 grams of protein for each of you.
- Send them off with kisses on the palm of their hands. If they miss you during the day, they can put their hand against their face to be reminded of your love.
- Send them off with fun little sayings like: I love you. You love me. Have a great day and I’ll see you at three.
- Send a family picture along in their lunch pail. Laminate it after you glue it to a red construction paper heart.
- Keep adjusting the model. Stay focused on the vision of your individual family plan. That plan will be different than any other family you know!
- Don’t take anything or anyone for granted.
- A calm household has regular routine bedtimes. For kids and for Mom. Well rested people get along with each other better than tired people.
- Never get “comfortable” with what you do.
- Keep learning. Keep fresh. Be teachable.
- Find your own “voice.” Be willing to be unique. Don’t “follow the crowd.” Follow your Lord and ask Him for His plan.
- Trust the process.
- Don’t get impatient with the process. An oak tree started as a tiny acorn.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Discover your strengths. I’ve created a great resource for you. You can order a copy here: Leading From Your Strengths Trilogy. I promise that it will give you fresh heart. You will discover a new understanding of yourself and each family member. Recognizing, understanding, and embracing each others’ strengths is a VERY GOOD plan! (It is so much better than trying to change each other, which NEVER works anyway.)
Above all…
And over all these things, spread a covering of prayer to the One who believes in you. Choose to trust that He truly wants to help you be successful this school year. Just ask. He has the “gift” of “helps,” btw.
Until next time, KLU GIB.
Did You Know Pam Has Written Several Children’s Books?
Parenting with Jesus
In Jimmy Learns About Life, Pam helps parents instill Christian values in their children. Throughout the book, Jimmy faces mishaps, ministry, and more–and along the way he learns that there’s more to life than first impressions.
