All good things must come to an end, including summer break. Kids and parents everywhere are sad to see summer go, mourning the end of staying up late, long days in the sun, and enjoying the freedom that comes with 2 months off in the summer. However, with the end of summer, comes the beginning of a new school year. Back to books, backpacks, lunch packing, sports, parent teacher conferences, and countless hours spent every day doing the mundane tasks of getting through the week. Most back to school guides go over about how to prep your kid to have a successful year ahead. This back to school guide is for all of the parents out there and talks all about how to prep yourself for a successful back to school season, while still maintaining your health and sanity.
This time of year, we as parents focus on everything our kids need. This typically means that we forget to take care of ourselves. You as a parent are the leader of your pack, and you deserve to keep your own health in check during this back to school transition phase. Although it’s tempting to sacrifice your mental and physical health just to keep your family afloat, these sacrifices can have serious consequences that impact both yours and your family’s well-being. Below are some tips on prioritizing your health as a parent during this time:
Begin or return to a daily CBD routine. Keep some CBD oil, capsules, or edibles easily accessible as a reminder to take some CBD both in the morning and evening, or whatever time of day works best for you.
Communicate what your personal needs are. Let your family know when you will be dedicating your full attention to them, and when they should give you time to yourself. They might not listen, but at least you tried. Taking time to yourself to reassess your personal needs as well as the needs of your family, will help keep tranquility and peace of mind in your household.
Practice mindfulness. Allow yourself to unplug periodically. Create a dedicated space for meditation or mental breaks throughout the day.
Work on time management. Time management will not only help to get through your to-do list, but also helps to create personal time for yourself. Even if it’s only 10 minutes at a time, it is essential to devote time to yourself and your needs. Decide how you will continue to create this space once your kids are back in school and start practicing early! This way once the school year hits, you are already in that routine.
Bedtime Boot Camp. Start working on establishing a bedtime routine. Getting your kids to bed earlier a week or two before school starts will get them ready for the real thing. Once school starts, all the stress of fighting for bedtime, will be a thing of the past.
Coupon for school supplies. There is nothing worse than stressing about the cost of back to school shopping. Each year the school list gets longer and longer, which means more and more money. The best way to avoid this stress, is to check local ads, and shop wisely for those back to school supplies. Check out this link from goodhousekeeping.com. They have dozens of discounts to use online to help you save on back to school essentials such as binders, notebooks, electronics, clothing, and even dorm decor.
Explore alternatives to coffee and caffeine. Everyone knows by now that too much caffeine is bad for you, but many adults still aren’t ready to face the music about this addiction. Long-term problems from too much caffeine can include insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, muscle tremors, and digestive issues. Think healthier options such as chia seeds, carrots, raw cacao, and, a healthy sleep schedule. We know that the last one might not be as easy as it sounds, but if you can make it happen, do it!
Set goals but be realistic. Remember S.M.A.R.T. goals? Although it may feel more like your child’s homework than yours, it’s actually a pretty handy template to follow. S.M.A.R.T. stands for
S. specific
M. measurable
A. achievable
R. relevant
T. time-based
When you find yourself overwhelmed trying to get through your to-do list, unable to meet some of these goals, take a step back. Look at what’s actually realistic for you. If there’s a reason why you can’t get something accomplished, take that into consideration and set a new goal.
Let. It. Go. You’re not a bad parent if you can’t get through your to-do list every day. Sometimes, it’s not a realistic goal. Things come up, and our plans change. When you’ve tried your hardest but just can’t seem to get it all done, don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, take a look at what you have accomplished and let yourself feel proud and fulfilled. Accept that you did the best you could. Then take a look at what you didn’t get to and set a goal plan on how you would like to accomplish those tasks through the remainder of the week. Remember, if you just can’t make something work and it doesn’t impact the safety or wellbeing of your child, just let it go.
Enjoy these last few days of summer vacation, and remember you are not superman or superwoman. We are all human, and there are just some things that are out of our control. The important thing to remember, is your health, and your needs. Best of luck this back to school season!
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