How well are you managing this school year? I’d rate myself at about 67 percent, which is a solid D+. But don’t worry, I’ll be dropping down to a solid 20 percent in no time!
Just last week, I was the queen of organization when it came to my kids’ school stuff. I had everything under control. I set out bowls and spoons next to the cereal, with berries, tangerines, and bananas all lined up and ready to go. I woke up 30 minutes before the kids to brew coffee and check for permission slips or homework assignments that needed my signature. I even had a “Mom” folder, labeled with my trusty label maker, housing school newsletters, the carpool number, and a calendar marked with school closures and holidays.
When the bus was set to arrive at 4 p.m., I had a healthy snack spread out, complete with chilled cups of water. “Hang your backpacks up!” I cheerfully reminded the kids as they entered. I ensured their shoes made it to the closet and cleared off old school papers from the kitchen counter.
Last week, I was about to become the super mom that Pinterest promised I could be.
Fast forward to this week, and I’ve already been woken up by a hungry child 20 minutes past her usual wake-up time because I forgot to set my alarm. In the mad dash after school, my kids have indulged in cookies and ham slices—the very snacks I had strictly reserved for school only. I’m staring at a mountain of papers on my counter, unsure what each one is for, but I’m pretty sure I need to sign at least 56 of them and return them to school alongside a check or a promise of servitude.
We’re barely into the school year, and I’m already losing my grip. By winter break, we’ll be solving math problems with our toes, and by the end of the year, my kids will survive on leftover holiday candy.
But I’m not embarrassed. Shame is for those with unrealistic expectations. I’m just curious why all this organization feels so motivating in September but quickly turns into another measure of my failures as October rolls around.
In previous school years, I tried moving backpacks from the hall to the dining room chairs and hung cork boards and calendars. I scheduled everything from checking backpacks (4 to 4:15 p.m.) to family reading time (20 minutes after dinner). But no matter the system I implemented, someone always pulls out a homework assignment at 7:51 a.m. that I never saw because we skipped checking backpacks the night before. And let’s not forget someone always has to run to the bathroom when we’re supposed to be reading together as a family. My kids can be halfway to a friend’s house before I can even ask if they have any forms for me to sign! Their shoes end up lost under couches or in the driveway, and our dog is happily munching on someone’s homework.
In short, it’s not our fault—it’s theirs.
The struggle to keep our kids organized and maintain our sanity through the first few weeks of school feels impossible. The very essence of our children seems to thrive on chaos, mixed with a sprinkle of whimsy. Add in school fundraisers, flyers igniting their passion for trapeze lessons or chess clubs, PTA commitments, and the ever-pressing need to replace sneakers that were outgrown in a matter of weeks, and it’s no surprise that finding a single pencil with an eraser seems like an unattainable goal.
We were never meant to win this game. Instead, we’re here to manage our losses. During the school year, we’re merely aiming to survive. Victory is for Pinterest and that one mom whose car is always spotless (may her kids step in dog poop, amen). The rest of us will have to put on our game faces and help our little ones find the charging cord for the school laptop, which should be at the family charging station we set up back on Labor Day.
So, gear up with your rubber gloves, and keep a spare pen and notepad in the car for all those last-minute permission slips. Someone will inevitably take the field trip form to the bathroom during reading time, and let’s face it—your chances of getting that slip to the teacher on time are pretty grim.
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Summary
As the school year kicks off, many parents find themselves overwhelmed by the chaos of managing their children’s schedules, homework, and daily routines. Despite initial organization and enthusiasm, it’s common to feel disorganized and unprepared as the weeks progress. Embracing the reality of the situation is essential; after all, survival is the ultimate goal for parents navigating the challenges of school life.