You feel it, too, don’t you? You longed for school to be back in session to get a break from your kids, and now two weeks in, you’re longing for a break from school already! Maybe it’s just the sheer exhaustion of trying to adjust to a jam-packed schedule or maybe you’re just sad because your babies are actually AT school for the very first time. Whatever it is, you might be feeling the back to school blues like I am and needing a little pick-me-up.
I had a double whammy this year with my oldest beginning big girl school and my baby beginning Mother’s Day Out for the first time. Dang motherhood and its rollercoaster of emotions!
When I got to thinking about it though, there’s really no reason to be sad about anything. (I mean, I did cry all day yesterday after I dropped off Colin for the first time, but that’s a different story for a different day). Seasons change, and sometimes change is hard, but I’ve found that there are things to help pull you out of the funk. Not just for you, but for your littles, too! You know if you’re feeling it, they’re feeling it x10!
Here are five fun, easy ways to beat the back to school blues!
ONE. Ditch the schedule.
Okay, maybe not completely, but every now and then, ditch the schedule just enough to make things a little more fun during the week. Yesterday, on a whim, I packed up some Sparkling Ice and took the kids to the park. They of course didn’t want to leave as bedtime was drawing near, but it was so nice to get some fresh air and enjoy time together to break up the monotony of the school day and school week routine. They loved it!
TWO. Make an After School Treat
When Charlotte gets home from school, she is always starving and ready to play. It’s also still pretty hot here in Texas, so popsicles to the rescue! Charlotte loves to make things and help in the kitchen. I had her help me make some fizzy popsicles, and she loved it! Super easy, super yummy, and time well spent.
I got to ask her about her day at school and she got to get help mommy make a special treat.
All we did was slice up some strawberries, place them in a popsicle mold, and fill with different flavors of Sparkling Ice. I love these for me because a single bottle has zero calories, love them for my kids because they have zero sugar, and love that they contain naturally sourced colors and flavors. Win, win, win!
We put them in the freezer and enjoyed them after dinner. Charlotte and Colin both loved them!
THREE. Dance it out.
You guys know we love dancing around here. We love our playlists, and Charlotte especially loves putting on shows. Let your littles live, mamas! Put the dishes down, and watch your little star do their thing. Take this as your permission to let it go and be in the moment. You won’t get it back. Even better, join them!
FOUR. Do something for yourself.
Think fast! Make a list of your priorities. Where do you fall? Sister, if you’re not on that list, get on it! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not serving your people the best as you can.
When was the last time you did something for yourself? It doesn’t have to be extravagant or even take more than 30 minutes. It just needs to happen. This season of new transitions is hard. Refill your cup by doing something to decompress and put it on the schedule! Hire a babysitter, ask a friend to watch your kids, ask your husband to take on bath and bed time solo, and go recharge.
Make a reminder in your phone, write it in your calendar, tattoo it on your forehead. ME-TIME IS NON-NEGOTIABLE. It’s not selfish. It’s necessary.
FIVE. Plan a family movie night for the weekend.
Start a tradition in your house where you plan a family movie night! There are so many family friendly movies to choose from, so maybe your little ones can pick the movie. Plan it, tell your babes, and let them get excited about it. It will give you all something to look forward to at the end of the week.
Make your Sparkling Ice drinks fancy, grab some snacks, and snuggle up! In the fall, we’ll even change up our movie watching location to the back patio. Cannot wait for that!
What’s your favorite family movie? Mine is clearly Sound of Music, Charlotte would say The Greatest Showman, Colin would say Cars, and Michael’s is probably E.T..
Anymore tips on how to shake the back to school blues? Let a sister know in the comments!
Now go grab some Sparkling Ice, learn more about it here or on their Facebook page! You can find all 16 Sparkling Ice flavors on Amazon or at your local retail store.
Save up to 15% plus get free delivery with Subscribe & Save as a Prime member, and you’re all set.
