Mothers are “it”. They’re the pillars of the family. That’s especially true of summer, when kids are home from school. But it’s also true of the back-to-school season – a furious flurry of activity.
Now that the kids have their supplies in their backpacks and they’ve returned to the reality of learning, achieving and growing to the full stature of adults, it’s time for you, mom.
This is your moment.
Now’s the time to take good care of yourself, with these 4 back-to-school wellness tips for mom. You earn your wellbeing every day, so we’re honored to support you.
1. It’s Not Your Homework
Homework helps your kids internalize what they’re learning at school. Helping them out with the tough stuff is admirable but try to remember that it’s their homework – not yours.
Let your kids experience struggle with the subjects they’re working on. Struggle is part of life. While the temptation to put on your “Supermom” cape and leap tall piles of homework may be overwhelming, allowing them to experience the joy of discovery through struggle is a much better strategy in the long run.
Allow your children the satisfaction of achieving their learning objectives independently. They’ll thank you later.
2. Be Their Model
Sending the kids back to school needn’t be a nerve-wracking experience. Kids are reluctant to leave summer behind and that’s understandable. Summer is a season of freedom from responsibility and enjoyment.
But school isn’t the enemy. School should be framed as a joyful experience and an opportunity to grow. Be the positive role model your kids need, reminding them that going back to school means learning new things, seizing on new opportunities and reconnecting with friends they may not have seen all summer.
Education is a gift, so share with your kids the experiences you had in school that shaped and formed you. Remind them of the overwhelmingly positive experience education is.
3. Community Lightens the Load
We all know it takes a village to raise a child, so why are some moms so reluctant to live out that reality? The “Supermom” cape sometimes seduces moms into believing they can do it all. But that’s what community is for – to lighten the load.
Connect with other moms to create a carpool to get the kids to school. Your neighbors will be just as grateful as you’ll be to have this aspect of back-to-school responsibilities made that much lighter, through sharing.
And don’t forget your spouse. Divvy up the lunchmaking, the school meetings and all the other stuff that demands attention.
4. Take Time for You
Take time for yourself. It’s often the case that mothers put everyone else before themselves. But if your personal resources are maxed out, how can you be there for your family?
Find the time you need for you. Whether that means swimming at the local pool, going for a long walk, or scheduling a treatment at Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center, make sure you take that time. You’re indispensable and you deserve it.
Mom time needed? Contact us.
