2 Tips to Get Your Back-to-School Groove Back

Well now that Summer 2016 is officially in the books, it’s time to predict if I’ll be yelling “Yahoo” or crying “Boo-Hoo” this back-to-school season.

The First Day of School usually conjures up mixed feelings for me because on one hand I’m so excited and relieved for the girls to be finally out of the house, (Yahoo!).

Then I pause and get a little misty-eyed because it also signifies the end of summer and brings a sentimental finality to all of our excellent adventures on the road. It also reminds me that as they move up the ranks through high school, that they’re inching ever-so-closer to Graduation Day – and then they really will be out of the house (Boo-Hoo!).

This weekend was filled with anticipation of what the First Day of School would bring at their new schools. On one hand they were excited, but understandably a little nervous.

And I admit it. I felt a little nervous excitement too.

You see, I’m trying out a new system to help make our mornings a little more mellow and our school-day scramble more serene.

That’s why for me, August is the new January. Each First Day of School is like another New Year’s Day. It’s a fresh new start that beckons for resolutions.

While on our road trip this summer, I vowed that this school year would be different.

I resolved that we would try harder not to make mornings so crazed by rushing around like a NASCAR pit crew. So I’m adopting a new family rhythm of getting ready for school with less stress and minimal chaos. Hopefully, we can now load up the minivan school-bound with my righteous mind intact while preserving my “indoor voice” at all cost.

Here are two quick tips that just might help you get your Back-to-School Groove back:

The Launch Pad

I found these sample Launch Pads in Organized Home. They gave me some great ideas to create my own.

I read a good article in Organized Home by Cynthia Ewer, author of Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Organized, about taming morning madness with a brilliant idea that she called a “Launch Pad.” It’s simply a dedicated space for each family member.

Following her advice, I set up a location to contain all of the “out-the-door” essentials of life for each of my girls on the dining room table. You can set up your own too just by clearing a shelf in a bookcase and designating the space as your family’s launch pad.

I’m using it for lunch boxes, homework, school projects and permission slips, etc. And for the “big kids” in our family, it can be a place to rest the car keys, dry cleaning receipts or my frozen Lean Cuisine.

The Chore Points Plus List

I’m a lifetime Weight Watchers member and one of the best parts of the program is their value points system. Essentially, each food is assigned a point value and it helps you keep track of what you’re eating, makes you accountable and lets you measure results.

I found some great free templates on Latitudes that helped me incorporate the point system theme. I modified it to develop a clever chore list that assigns a point value to a certain task like laying out all school clothes before you go to bed, setting your alarm, charging your phone and your school computer, organizing all completed homework, or making your lunch in advance. It also tracks points for behavior too like doing a good deed, helping others or completing household chores without being reminded to do so.

At the end of the week, we tally the points up and the girls can use them for special privileges like hanging out at the mall with friends, hosting a sleepover or getting a little extra screen time on their favorite electronic device.

Now that I’m armed with a few new tools in my arsenal, I hope that we have a smoother transition back into the school routine.

In line with tradition, I was out early in our front yard taking photos of the girls with our golden retriever on their First Day of School, just like I did when they were toddlers. Of course, they are always mortified to have their mom so excited about a new school year and eagerly reminding them to “Make Good Choices,” just like the mom in the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

I know my overly zealous behavior causes momentary teen angst, but you know – I just don’t care. These are Mom Memories.

Thanks to my new little organizational system, my morning was just a little mellower and I could stand there in the school parking lot in full appreciation of this surreal moment in time as they both confidently strolled away into the bustling crowd of chatting students.

As I leaned up against the minivan and sighed while they said their goodbyes, it was as if they turned and walked away in slow motion.

Backpacks swinging. Laughing and talking to new friends all the way to the school door.

“Yahoo” -they’re growing up to become incredible young women. “Boo-Hoo” -these moments are just going by way too fast.

Yahoo. Boo-Hoo. Which one are you this school year?



Carla Meadows is a Dallas wife and mom of two slightly over-scheduled teens and a lovable golden retriever who writes about building intentional family moments through the wonders of travel at home and across the U.S. in her blog, Mommys Minivan Monologues. She’s also a frequent contributor to Sirius XM Radio; The Dallas Morning News; The Dallas Weekly; The Oklahoman/NewsOK; KXAS-TV NBC 5; and In the Loop Kids with reviews on products, destinations and attractions.You can follow Carla on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.