5 ways to simplify the school week

spontaneous beach days will have to wait for the weekends

I would like to tell you that our first morning back at school was smooth, calm and hurried-free. But that would be a lie. This morning was one of those mornings; best to let go of it and drink coffee in the sun, instead.

The unpredictabilities of children are frustrating and fascinating and, well, normal. Che is a dreamer and isn’t particularly interested in organisation so I’ve really had to work on our school morning routine. Yesterday, before I left for yoga, I wrote down a list of chores with him over breakfast. Simple numbered sentences that he could read and follow, at his own pace. This boy of mine, he does everything in his own time and hurrying him often has an adverse affect. But he’s also at an age where he has responsibilities – and that includes getting to school on time. Lucky we both share a love of list making!

Let it be known that a simplified school week is still, at times, frenzied and tiring. Don’t set your hopes too high! Here’s five things that have made a difference to my experience as a school mum; simple tips that make things a little easier and smoother, even on the overwhelming days.

1. it’s Sunday evening – a little organisation goes a long way : perhaps it’s uncalled for to clean on Sundays but for me it ensures a fresh start to the school week. I spend about an hour on Sunday afternoons doing a quick, don’t-get-distracted clean. I start with a cup of tea in hand and go from room to room, often losing said tea in the process. School uniforms are readied, miscellany is put back in its rightful place, surfaces are cleared of clutter. Basically, I make space for the new week, and feel a little more prepared as a result.

2. create a list with your child and run through it a few times : school morning prep is much the same, every day. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy for your child to remember; especially if their current book is enthralling (“Just one more page, mum?”). I have really embraced the notion of handing over responsibility in the past few months, hence Che’s Sunday/school morning prep list (it’s stuck on his bedroom wall for easy reference). It includes:

find school hat and put it in school bag
find library books, put them in library bag, hang bag on hooks
polish school shoes and put them next to school bag
put reading folder in school bag
get dressed, socks included
brush teeth

3. get baking/cooking – there’s always fruit and vegies in the house but I have to be disciplined in regards to baking. I usually bake school treats on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. I used to procrastinate about baking and tell myself I didn’t have enough time but if I apply my don’t-get-distracted method it doesn’t take much time at all – really! You have a spare 10 minutes to make Anzac biscuits, I know you do. Bill’s Banana Bread is another option (it makes two loaves and stays nice and moist for a good five days). On Thursday nights we have pizza so I can pack a slice or two for lunch on Fridays (we have these lunch boxes which I highly recommend).

4. go to bed at a reasonable time and get up early – there is a certain amount of discipline required for a simplified school week and that includes a strict bedtime and setting the alarm in the morning (unless you have the baby/toddler equivalent). Sometimes it doesn’t always work but on school nights I’m in bed by 10pm and up the next morning by 6:30 – a rested mum is more likely to be happy and patient on school mornings. My morning routine is always the same: shower – dressed – tea – breakfast prep – lunch making – encouragement of Che getting ready (and putting the book down!) – breakfast together – Poet dressed – off to school. I try my best to stay off my phone and laptop before school; they are, after-all, the biggest distractions.

5. make an early dinner – I love early dinners, I love early bedtimes even more. Now that it’s dark at 5pm my 5:30-6 dinner is all the more justified. I keep dinner pretty simple on school nights; I aim to meal plan on the weekend and if all else fails, I make eggs on toast. Before Che settles into bed I make sure he’s got everything organised for the next day…a few minutes in the evening saves a lot of stress in the morning.

Feel free to share your tips for a simple school week…

By Jodi