Back to School, Back to Mom

Back to School Season is the second most “organizationally focused” time year – second only to the New Year. As the air turns crisp, the kids head back to school, and the pace of life picks back up once again this period of transition is a perfect opportunity to make a fresh start.

Alicia on “Covering the Basics”

“This time of year is the perfect time to schedule those doctor’s appointments: general physicals, dental work, and mammograms. In addition take care of any nagging injuries or reoccurring health problems that you or your spouse might have put off. You wouldn’t let your child go six months before seeing the doctor about an oddity in their health, and neither should you. You’ve probably already paid your deductible so you need to take advantage of these before the year end. While you’re at it, get your skin checked! Not to be a downer, but Skin Cancer is on the rise so get to the dermatologist. For a free skin cancer screening in your area sponsored by Olay, go to: http://www.olay.com/sctf08/.”

Sarah on “Don’t Forget Mom Time!”

“Driving the kids all over town and being the PTA president does not count for ‘me’ time. Don’t forget to carve out some time in the coming hectic fall and winter schedules for a little down time for yourself. You might want to consider joining a local volleyball, basketball, or indoor soccer league for some group exercise. There are plenty of these sports through local recreation centers or private clubs. You’ll make new friends and release some competitive spirit each week. Or if you’re craving something a little more cerebral, sign up for lessons through a music society, art club or look on CraigsList.com. Or simply schedule time with good friends.”

Here a few tips to help you start fresh this new school year.

#1 Home Sweet Home

This will be your best chance to create your own emotional environment. If you are stressed out during your pregnancy or as you deal with your kid(s) on a day to day basis, you will create a home environment that is on edge much of the time. If on the other hand you can take to heart the idea that raising kids is like riding a rollercoaster, and that it is best to deal with the thrills, chills and spills of it all with smile on your lips, your home will reflect that attitude as well.

#2 Working it Out

Get back to working out as soon as possible. Of course the only way to do this is to get out your planner and make it an essential. You must know by now that the term “free-time” will become for you the stuff of legend or myth and that you will need your planner now more then ever. So schedule the time and then honor that commitment, for two reasons. The first is that this is your best opportunity of starting from the beginning teaching your baby that it is normal for an adult to stay in shape. The other is due to the old maxim that rest makes you weak and work makes you strong: be strong, mom!

#3 Paying the Bills

Prepare to go back to work before it is time to go back and you already have your baby. Life will be a whirlwind for a while and before you know it you will be back at work—that is not the time to start preparing for that event. So this is the time to see if you can work from home more and what that will take; like keeping more files at home, upgrading your phone, or installing new computer programs. Also, you want to be ready to go to the office, which means things like stocking up your office/cube with diapers, a change of clothes for yourself, and (once the baby has arrived) pumping extra milk.