For the past couple of months families have been on summer vacation without following much of a schedule. Children have been playing most of the day, eating lots of treats and going to sleeping late each night. Now that is time to get back on a routine and it can be stressful for working mothers. Here’s how you can experience an easier transition from summer vacation to back to school.
Start planning early
Start planning early by making a list of everything you need to do. This includes things like buying school supplies, shoes, clothes, uniforms, and sports equipment. Schedule transportation, after school care, and any appointments such as haircuts and medical appointments. A word of advice, July is a busy month in pediatrician’s offices since parents take their children for their yearly school physical right before school starts in August. Try to schedule your children to be seen in June when there is more space for appointments.
When ordering supplies online, be aware of delivery schedules to avoid having to shop at the last minute, possibly adding extra charges for express shipping.
Make tasks manageable
Break down your to-do list into smaller, more manageable tasks and prioritize. Set a schedule that is realistic for you. Doing too much too soon, leads to feeling overwhelmed. Be flexible and don’t get discouraged if you have a few setbacks. Instead, adjust your plans as needed.
Get help from others. If you have a partner or older children, delegate some of the tasks. You can also ask family or friends for help.
Change your schedule from summer vacation to back to school
Set a realistic schedule that works for you. Don’t try to do too much too soon, or you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed. Get back into your regular sleep routine as soon as possible. This will help you feel more rested and alert. Eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly will give you more energy and make you more productive. Caffeine and alcohol can disrupt your sleep and make it harder to focus so avoid consuming these in excess.
Give yourself grace
Be patient with yourself because it takes time to adjust to being back. It’s okay to take some time for yourself to relax and unwind while you go through the transition from summer vacation to back to school. It helps to stay connected with your loved ones and spending quality time with family and friends to avoid feeling isolated.
Congratulate yourself for another milestone. Reward yourself with something you enjoy to stay motivated during this process.
About Dr. Landrau
Dr. Carmen W. Landrau is a keynote speaker in Houston, TX. She works with organizations focused on retaining women in the workforce and promoting them to executive levels. Her talks about leadership and women’s empowerment, show professional women how to work on their mindset to obtain visibility and recognition to become phenomenal leaders in their industry.
Invite Dr. Landrau to speak at your event via direct message to drlandrau.com/contact. Check her social media pages on LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook.
