Last Updated on March 20, 2018
Your Back-to-School Relief List
So … how many plates do you have spinning in the air right now?
Back-to-school supplies, back-to-school paperwork, carpool, after school activities, school clothing buying, snack planning, meal planning, fall sporting events, school calendar activity scheduling, reorganizing summer fun into fall responsibilities … and on and on. It can be totally overwhelming! Don’t ya think?
Seriously, going back to school surely adds at least two more necessary hours to my already-packed 24-hour day. Unfortunately, I do not have the option of adding two hours to my day — and I might just hurt somebody if I had to lose two hours of sleep — so don’t go there!
I know I am not alone; I see the frazzled look in the eyes of moms in the grocery store and in the carpool line. I read the anxious Tweets and Facebook posts describing busy days and nights and a “ramped up” mom-schedule that leaves moms weary and stressed out.
Need it be so?
I say no.
Yes, your “to-do list” is important, and yes, you need to be productive. However, I have an amazing suggestion for you: create another list. Now, before you think I am actually doubling your work load, keep reading! Create your very own personal “MOMents list” and divide your time between that never ending “to-do list” — what has to get done — and your “MOMents list” of what you need to do to help you make it through your day without blowing a gasket.
What is a “MOMents list” you ask? Allow me to share mine:
- Take a walk
- Read
- Bake cookies
- Write “thinking of you” notes
- Sit on the back deck
- Dance a little
- Write
- Pray
- Think
- Encourage “text” a friend
- Dream
- Journal
- Take a hike
- Sing a little
- Swing on the rope swing
- Jump on the trampoline
- Visit my horses
As you might have guessed (by what you just read), my “MOMents list” consists of things I like to do that bring me moments of joy, calm, and peace. And during the “busy, crazy, oh my gosh, there are not enough hours in the day” back-to-school days, having my “MOMents list” gives me options.
And call me twisted, but somehow if it’s written on a list, it seems like it officially gives me permission to fit it into my day somewhere.
Nice advice. However, I don’t have a deck, a safe place to take a walk, realistic dreams, a place to hike, a rope swing, a trampoline, or horses to visit. The radio programs are helpful. This is not.
-Happy and thankfull for a simple life.
Thank you, Tracey! I have always had trouble with giving myself permission to do my own list of things during the day. I think what you have said will help me make up a list and stick with it. God bless!