Praying Paint and Other Back-to-School Tips

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Back-to-School Tips

It is that time of year, so I have some Back-to-School Tips for you!  

Some of you have already begun your first week. Summer is shorter every year, it seems.

This year we have two in our local public high school, one in sixth grade (in our school, they still have 6th grade in elementary, which I LOVE) and one in second grade.  I am homeschooling her.  So back to school in the Smith household can be rather crazy, trying to get everyone established–forms filled out, doctor and dentist appointments, school supplies, new clothes and curriculum gathering and planning.

It kind of makes my head spin, you know? But once we are established in a new routine, it seems to all come together somehow.

So I thought today I would share a few ideas that may help you in your back to school doings and goings, from someone, who has walked out this school journey with four kids in various stages of life for over 14 years now.

First, keep it all in perspective.

Not everything is the most important thing to do.  We tend to go in crisis mode (and boy does that affect how our kids respond) and our blood pressure rises and we try to get it all done in one day.  That is a destructive day waiting to happen, right there.  Rather, keep in mind that some items are due early, but some things can be put off without any trouble.  So in bits, do the first thing that needs to be done and then move on from there.  Write a list and make an asterisk by the most important items.  Make it workable–with your daily schedule.

After all, some things really can wait.  Do they really need a new backpack the first day?  Or new shoes? Or their teeth cleaned? Probably not.  So why keep up appearances?  Be bold and let some things like this slide to next week or next month, now and again.

For instance, we just returned from family vacation, having driven 17 hours over two days. We returned late in the evening and had an early morning registration for one of our high schoolers.  Our printer was out of ink, and I had forms to complete. It could have been really stressful, but rather we figured out how to print it, and he filled out all that he could, while I wrote a check for the fees. Then I signed and completed them.  At sixteen, he can do his own registration! So, I sat in the car and figured out a menu for the week, went to the grocery store — a neighbor happened to offer to drop him at home–WIN-WIN.  It was productive and stress-free time!  God is in the details, my sisters.  He really is.  

Let God be MORE in your dailyness–and your stress will begin to go way down, bringing peace and joy to your heart.

Second, take time and LOOK for the laughs–then WRITE them down, so you don’t forget!

Laughter is the best medicine.  And back to school offers much fodder.  So be on the look out for the absurd and the funny.  It will keep your heart lighter.  And your kids will also begin to look for the laughs, as well.

One thing I am so glad I wrote down is about “praying paint”…
As school began in fall 2005, we had just moved to Colorado from the South (Texas), and I had this discussion with my daughter Kylie, who was beginning kindergarten.
 
This is what I heard:
Kylie: Mom, I need some praying paint.
Me: You do? Why?
Kylie: For school…my teacher says I need praying paint.
 
I pause a moment and consider where the source of praying paint might come from…Heaven, perhaps? Lord knows, I pray enough when Kylie, Tabor or Noah begin to paint. In fact, when Noah was four, he designed a wonderful painting on his wall…behind his door. I considered writing “Noah’s Art” on it and leaving it at that…but decided that it might encourage him to paint more walls behind doors. Back to the story…
 
Me: Kylie, do you have a supply list with praying paint on it?
Kylie: Yes Mom, here it is.
I read it and sure enough it said, “Prang paint.” How else could it be pronounced?
 

Finally, begin a system of stewarding and organizing that will help you throughout the years.

I love in Mary Poppins how she says, “Well begun is half-done.”!  It is a statement to live by, I think.  
So now, as you are buying school supplies (especially if you are just beginning with your first child in kindergarten), create spaces and places for those to go when the year is up–for next year, you will likely need them again (and can save money in the process). As you find them on sale, too, you can pre-purchase them and put them away for later.
 
For clothing, I think it is best to have a system of totes and sizes–listed on the outside.  As they outgrow one size, pass those along to someone else (or put away for your next child even).  Having a group of friends at church or even neighbors, who pass along clothing and shoes is SUCH a GIFT!  
 
For many years now, as we have experienced different levels of abundance and lack, we have found that AGAIN, God is in the details.  He provides AND He uses US to provide for others, as well.  
 
f3e93c8b-e71f-4012-b891-7b66a7269f97_zpsb40e941eIt is a great way to get to know these women, too…maybe even begin a Mommy group and trade ideas about what works for others!  You can even begin using The Making of a Mom, as a springboard for conversation!  
 
I also keep totes for each child, for all those SAVE papers, report cards and artwork.  I don’t keep everything. But some things are worth keeping and passing on to them later, too.
 

I will talk more about why we are homeschooling our youngest next month.  

But today, what back-to-school tips do you have that work for you?  Share them in the comments!

Stephanie Shott
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