Do you want to be prepared to have an awesome school year? Take advantage of the summer months and use them to prepare for next year.
Our family has a lighter schedule during the summer months. I use that extra time to get organized and ready for the next school year. It’s so helpful to get organized and ready now, because once the school year starts, life doesn’t slow down.
There are six key areas to focus on to help make things run more smoothly this coming school year. The first two have nothing to do with “actual school” but as homeschoolers they are essential to having calmer days.
Meal Plan
Do you have a well managed system for meal planning in place? Not having to stress about what’s for dinner will allow you to put your attention towards wrapping up the school day, plus it will save you time and money too.
Establish Routines
Routines save time and help you get more done. Once they are established, you and your children will know what to do next without having to think about it. It will take some training for everyone, but the smoothness they add to daily life is worth every second it takes to get them established.
Here are a few routines that are helpful to establish as a family:
- Cleaning Routines
- Morning & Evening Routines
- Routines for Leaving the House (for co-op, sports, or other activities)
Organize School Materials
A great school day can go south quickly when you have to stop and search everywhere for a certain book or assignment. Spend some time going through your books and organizing all your school materials. The trick is getting everyone to put them back where they belong. ;)
Manage Your Schedules
Summer is a great time to get your schedule for next year under control. There are so many good things out there for our kids to be involved in, but that doesn’t mean all of them are the best fit for your family.
As you prepare next year’s school schedule keep a few things in mind:
- When you say “yes” to something you’re essentially saying “no” to something else.
- Why did you choose to homeschool your children? How can you encourage your children’s gifts and interests? Choose activities that best align with your family’s goals and values.
- Don’t stretch yourself so thin that you are pressed for time to get lessons done.
- What will you need to rearrange or add to your family’s routine to ensure your life and home will still run smoothly most days?
- Will there be regular days that you are away from home and will need a simple meal, such as freezer or slow cooker meals? If so, consider that as you tweak your meal plan.
Prepare Yourself
Use the summer months to fill your tank. Read homeschooling and parenting books or articles. Listen to speakers that will encourage and inspire you.
Homeschooling is such a blessing, but there are days and sometimes even weeks that are hard. Print verses or quotes that encourage you and post them around your home to keep you motivated when those hard days come.
Be Intentional
Homeschooling is about so much more than just academics. The memories and moments we have with our children are truly gifts. Be intentional about making memories with your children and making the homeschool experience a special one for all of you.
Use some time this summer to plan:
- Field Trips
- First & Last Day of School Traditions
- Theme Days
- Projects
Could you use some encouragement and inspiration to get organized and ready for the coming school year?
Join my 6 Weeks to a Better School Year Challenge! Starting June 24th and ending August 2nd, I’ll be sharing daily challenges.
Each week will focus on a different area and will be geared towards helping you get ready for the upcoming school year. You won’t be alone because I’ll be completing the challenges right along with you.
Follow me on Instagram and watch my stories to see the daily challenges or sign up for email updates from Many Seasons of Motherhood. Then we’ll roll up our sleeves and get to work preparing to make this a great school year.
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Misty blogs over at Many Seasons of Motherhood and has a heart to encourage other moms to find joy in each season of motherhood and make precious memories in the process. You will find information and resources about homemaking, homeschooling, character building, and more.
