Indiana Moms Share Their Secrets for a Smooth Transition from Summer to School

Y'all, it’s that bittersweet time of year again—back-to-school week. I’m feeling a mix of dread and excitement. This year, my daughter is heading to a new school, bringing fresh opportunities for friendships and experiences. But it also means a hefty dose of stress, which I’m not exactly looking forward to.

Summer has been all about sleeping in, relaxed schedules, no homework, and optional extracurriculars. It’s been pure bliss. But that freedom is about to come crashing down on Wednesday. Not only does school start, but it’s also the first practice for her travel soccer team.

One of my colleagues shared a video with me about how different things were in the '80s, and wow, it really nailed how much things have changed. The video, though NSFW, dives into how modern parenting has to adapt to these new times.

From sports to family dinners, everything is so different now. To give your kid a shot at playing for the school—or even college—you’re looking at spending thousands of dollars and countless hours on travel and feeder teams. And with all that time dedicated to sports, good luck finding time to make home-cooked meals and actually eat them together as a family.

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I reached out to some Evansville moms to see how they keep their sanity and manage their time during the school year. Here’s what they had to say:

Kalen Micah: We’re starting a tradition of painting the kiddo’s handprint on a shirt and having them sign their name. We do this on both sides - when they graduate, I’m going to turn it into a t-shirt quilt for them and another for my mementos!

1. Plan Ahead
   1. Meal Plan Dinner: It’s not the most exciting task, but using meal planners like Skinnytaste or meal kit services like Everyplate really helps things run smoothly. And grocery pick-up or delivery? Total game changer.
   2. Outfit Bags: Since my daughter was little, we’ve been planning out the week’s outfits in advance. I’d put together outfits in ziplock bags, including socks and underwear. At the start of each week, she’d just pick out five bags and wear them whenever she wanted.
   3. Hanging All Clothes: This might be a bit controversial, but I switched all my daughter’s school clothes to hangers. Now that she’s older and we’re not using the bag system, she can easily see everything in her closet and choose what she wants. Plus, it’s way less wrinkly.
   4. Dry Erase Calendar: I got two weekly dry-erase planners for the fridge last year. I update them each week with extra-curriculars, due dates, and meals. It’s a lifesaver for keeping everything on track.
2. Spend the Money: I’m usually frugal, but I’ve learned that sometimes paying for convenience is worth it. I don’t have the time to make everything from scratch, so I budget in things like breakfast sandwiches when needed.
3. Just Say NO: As an 80s kid turned parent, I’ve learned that “no” is a powerful word. Knowing your limits and being okay with saying, “No, I can’t,” is crucial.
   I have to say, the 2023-2024 school year flew by so quickly. Here’s hoping this year goes just as fast because I’m already looking forward to summer break again!