Before the School Year Sweeps Us Away

I try to wake up at 5:00 a.m.—though if I'm being honest, it's usually closer to 5:30.

The kids are up at 6:00 a.m. to make it to the bus stop by 6:40.

Thank goodness for the delayed brew setting on my coffee maker, because if that coffee isn't waiting on me when I walk into the kitchen... nobody's having a good morning.

By the time I've packed lunches, signed the permission slip that somehow appeared at the last minute, found the missing shoe, and reminded everyone to grab their water bottles, we're already out the door.

As a mom, I swear the school year feels like getting caught in a hurricane.

The first day of school hits, and suddenly we're running full speed until May.

Homework.

Projects that somehow require supplies no one has.

Field trips.

School events.

And can we talk about spirit weeks? I feel like my kids have a T-shirt for every single occasion.

Then summer arrives, and while the schedule finally slows down, you know the countdown has already started toward doing it all over again.

This summer, though, I'm trying something different.

Instead of waiting until the week before school starts to get our lives together, we're using the summer to slowly build habits that will (hopefully) make the transition a little smoother.

Not perfectly.

Just better.

Our Summer Reset

Reading Every Day (20–30 Minutes)

This one has me stumped.

Getting my kids to sit down and read feels like pulling teeth some days. They see it as punishment instead of something to enjoy, and I'm still trying to figure out how to change that.

Part of me wonders if they're watching me.

People always say kids model what they see, and the truth is... they don't really see me reading books.

I spend over two hours a day commuting to work, so most of my "reading" happens through audiobooks in the car. Don't get me wrong—I absolutely love audiobooks. But I also wonder if seeing Mom curled up on the couch with a book every now and then would send a different message.

Maybe it would.

Maybe it wouldn't.

I'm still figuring that part out.

As much as I want them to become strong readers for school, I also want them to experience what books can do. I want them to laugh out loud, get lost in a story, and discover characters they never want to say goodbye to.

For now, we're aiming for 20–30 minutes a day. Some days it's easy. Other days there's a lot of negotiating involved.

My hope?

That one day they'll stop seeing reading as something they have to do and start seeing it as something they want to do.

And if any parents out there have figured out the secret... I'm all ears.

Thirty Minutes of Movement Every Day

Thankfully, this one isn't hard.

My kids are having the time of their lives this summer.

They're riding bikes around the neighborhood, playing outside with friends, swimming, bouncing on the giant water inflatable, jumping on the trampoline, and coming home dirty, sweaty, and happy.

Honestly... it makes me wish I had a summer break too.

As an exercise physiologist, I know regular movement helps build stronger muscles and bones, supports heart health, improves mood, and even helps kids sleep better at night.

But as a mom?

I just know my kids are happier after they've spent hours outside getting dirty, making up games, and using their imaginations.

They don't think of it as exercise.

They think of it as fun.

One of my biggest goals is to help them grow up seeing movement as something they get to do, not something they have to do.

Protein-First Meals

This is something we're working on together. I'm not counting grams for my kids or stressing over every meal.

My goal is simply to make protein the foundation of what we're eating whenever I can.

One thing I'm trying to be more intentional about is eating dinner a little earlier. Not only does it give the kids time to run around outside afterward, but that movement can also help with digestion and support healthy blood sugar regulation.

Again...

Not perfection.

Just small habits that add up over time.

Preparing for the Week on Sundays

Sunday has become our reset day.

A while back, I bought closet organizers labeled with each day of the week, so each outfit has its designated spot.

It takes one more decision off our plates before those early school mornings.

With my youngest, though, I've learned to pick my battles.

In all fairness, it's not the long sleeves in the summer heat that I love...

It's her sense of self.

She knows what she likes.

She's confident in it.

And I'm not about to dim that over an outfit.

Have you seen those Instagram videos where moms finally throw in the towel and let their kids wear whatever wild outfit they picked out?

Hilarious!!

Bedtime... My Greatest Parenting Challenge

If I'm being completely honest...

Bedtime is the hardest part of our day.

I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Reality?

June was a complete flop.

So instead of trying to make up for lost time, I'm giving myself a little grace.

My goal for July is a consistent 10:00 p.m. bedtime.

We'll try again next summer.

Progress, Not Perfection

I'm not trying to create the perfect routine.

I just want our mornings to feel a little calmer.

Less rushing.

Less arguing.

Less feeling like we're surviving the school year.

My kids don't know I'm trying to prepare them for the school year.

They just think they're having the best summer ever.

And honestly...

I think that's exactly how childhood is supposed to feel.

Now I Want to Hear From You

What's one thing your family does during the summer that makes the transition back to school a little easier?

Or, if you're like me and still figuring it out, tell me what you're trying this year. I'm always looking for ideas.

Until next time,

Jessica