School Has Started!

Observations and musings about the first few weeks of school - what's helping, what needs more attention - and ideas to help these busy school days go even more smoothly!

Well, all my kids are back in school for the new school year! My youngest A(4) has started TK and has been in school for 4 weeks and my older two kids N(10) and C(8) have been in school for a week and a half. We’re all getting used to the new after school activity schedule, the new school for A(4), the new teachers and homework requirements, and all that goes with that. I’m feeling the emotional strain that parents feel at this time of year while we help our kids process their big feelings about a new school year, and while we adjust to our own feelings about them each getting older… With all that going on, plus we’re in Los Angeles and there is a crazy heat wave going on (it was 124 degrees at school pickup on Friday!!), I will say that I’M TIRED!!!  I know I’m not alone in feeling that way and I hope that despite being tired, you’re having a good start to your kids’ school year!

This time of year is one of the most intense for the behind-the-scenes work of parenting, and as I take a moment to reflect on the last week and a half when all my kids have been in school, I have some observations about systems that are really helping our days go smoothly, and observations about things in our days that need work. Today I want to share which systems have been most helpful in these early weeks of the school year (I’ll link previous Substack articles or Instagram posts I’ve written that explain the systems where necessary - look for the underlined words) and I hope these ideas will help you too have a great start to the 2024/2025 school year!

1. School Calendar: I am so relieved that I already took the time to add the full school schedules into our family calendar. What that means is that I added every school holiday, early dismissal, parent activities, parent/teacher conference, etc. into our family digital calendar so that we have plenty of time to see what’s coming up and therefore make the necessary plans to accommodate those events. Already we have a major conflict – this Thursday is “Back to School” parents’ night at both schools at the same time, and the schools are on two sides of the city! First, I’m glad that because I’d added in all the school dates before school started I had enough time to find a sitter for that night - it’s happening really soon in the school year but it wasn’t a surprise so I didn’t have to scramble. Second, now that I know we have that conflict my husband and I can divide and conquer. Right now the plan is I go to the TK night and leave as soon as the homeroom teacher presentation is over. My husband will be at the older kids’ school and since we’ve already had a kid go through 3^rd grade there (with the same teacher) he will go to the 5^th grade presentation to learn about 5^th grade. I will ask friends who are in the 3^rd grade class with me to take notes (and since parents are asked to write a sweet note to their kids to see the next day, I will give a friend a pre-written note to stick onto my daughter’s desk so she feels loved the next morning) and then will join as soon as I can get to that school. It’ll be hectic but I’m feeling good about this plan!
2. Family Digital Schedule: Keeping the family’s digital schedule up to date and filled with as much information as possible has been invaluable. It costs nothing and can be on multiple caregivers’ phones which makes sharing the mental load of parenting logistics much easier!
3. Map of the Week/Family Paper Wall Calendar: I love having a paper wall calendar in the kitchen that we call our “Map of the Week” which lists all the activities the kids are doing, and anything they need to know. I realized that while my husband and I know what’s going on because we can see the digital calendar on our phones, the kids can’t see that calendar, so a paper calendar that they can easily see and comprehend is what was needed. It has really helped the kids feel calm and in control of their days because they know what to expect - it’s especially helpful during these weeks where we’re all getting used to the new school year and new routines!
4. Dinner Meal Planning: I’m so happy with my dinner meal planning each week because it saves me time and thinking during the hectic school week. Each Sunday I sit down and fill out the Map of the Week, and I write in what is for dinner each night. I consider how much prep time I actually have each day, and what we have in the fridge/freezer/pantry that can be used, order groceries as needed, and I create a plan for the week. It’s amazing to know that each day I simply look at the dinner plan and make it - I do all my thinking about timing and ingredients on Sunday when there is no school rush, and then during the week I just make the dinners on autopilot.
5. Car Time: I forgot how much time I spend in my car in these early school weeks with all the drop-offs and pickups at school and at the kids’ activities… Luckily I have a car filled with things the kids and I may need (like hand sanitizer, wipes, Kleenex, sunscreen, Altoids, hair brush and hair ties, Chapstick, potty seat for A(4), Band-Aids, etc.) so I am prepared to be in the car all day. I have also been having fun listening to new podcasts and calling friends who are also driving all the time right now! I know all the driving will calm down in the next couple of weeks once we get into a rhythm and the kids feel settled and aren’t always asking for me to be the one who picks them up😊

1. Food for Me: I am trying to remember to bring snacks for me when I’m out with the kids either at their activities or waiting in their carpool line. I always remember snacks for them, but I need snacks for me too because if I’m not properly fueled then it’s difficult to get through the day and help the kids with their needs!

1. School Emails and WhatsApp Groups: The amount of school emails and messages in the class WhatsApp groups are A LOT. It can be overwhelming to look at these in real time. I am working on glancing at them to see if they need immediate attention and if they don’t, then marking them “unread” in my inbox so that later in the day/at bedtime when I’m sitting with the kids as they fall asleep I can take the time then to read them and really process what is being communicated.
2. My Kids Are Already Getting Sick: Yep, the kids are already getting sick. One of them has a cough that won’t go away... This year I am trying EllaOlla vitamins, Beekeeper Throat Spray, and of course, MaryRuth’s Vitamin C drops in their smoothies or juice. I started all these after the cough arrived but I hope it will stop the cough from spreading to my other two kids!
3. I Need More Movement: In the same vein as feeding myself, I realize that I am just rushing around with kid stuff on my mind and their needs as my priority which means I haven’t been prioritizing my movement. This week I hit tennis balls on two different days (before this heatwave!) and I felt much stronger and better able to handle the emotions of the kids each of those days. So that is something I’m aiming to do more of/prioritize since it helps us all!
4. Bedtime Habits For Me: My nighttime reading habit is going great. I read an actual book (no electronic kindle or iPad) and it has been a wonderful way to wind down. I also have been sipping a mug of chicken bone broth from OWL Venice before I go to sleep and it’s been really soothing and helps me sleep better (there are no onions or garlic in this broth which is great for my sensitive stomach!).
5. Food For The Family: Grocery delivery has been a huge help as we get up and running with school lunch prep and dinner prep on busy weeknights. Setting up auto delivery with Thrive Market has been so helpful, and using the same-day service that Costco offers (they mark up the prices a small amount but there is no service or delivery fee - Instacart delivers but they don’t charge you - this is a Costco service) is amazing - you can get all their fresh fruits and veggies that same day!
6. Planning Ahead: Prepping what can be prepped both weekly on Sunday before the school week, and the night before each school day, has been a huge help! Making a plan for school lunchbox packing (post-it note outlining what I’ll pack for each kid, putting non-perishable snacks in lunchboxes, filling water bottles), organizing backpacks with homework, setting out school uniforms, setting out my clothes, etc. has been a huge help in the dash to get out the door!
7. Playdates: We’ve had a few play dates with school friends and that has been really helpful for us all! I’ve had a chance to reconnect with school parents which has made me feel connected to the class and school after summer vacation, and my kids get to feel more connected to their class and school by spending time with classmates outside the classroom. Plus, they’re fun to do!

I hope that those observations and ideas of what systems that have been most helpful in these early days of the school year can help you too!

❤️, Amanda, your Type A Mom friend

PS - Are there any parts of going back to school that you need to be easier for you and your family? Please reply to this newsletter with what you need help with and I’ll start thinking of ideas!