What to Do When the Kids Go Back to School
Sure, vacations and school breaks are great! The kids have been home and you’ve enjoyed the opportunity of getting to spend more time with them. To any parent, these moments and experiences together are always special. When your kids head back into the classroom and you suddenly have a lot of free time that was otherwise occupied by tending to your kids, what do you do during these transitional times and how do you manage your free time?
What to Do When the Kids Go Back to School
Kids vacation breaks from school can play havoc with your usual routine. With every semblance of what was normal having been disrupted, it’s time to get back on track once the kids are out. Here’s what you can do when the kids go back to school!
- Unwind. Indulge.
Running behind your kids, keeping their stomachs filled, clearing up after them, and generally being on your toes the entire time that the kids are home, you’ve probably managed to forget and ignore all your salon appointments, date nights, and even friends! The first thing you need to do to bounce back is to take a time out. Do whatever you’ve been yearning to do but haven’t had the chance to. Whether it’s that long day session getting pampered at the salon, lounging on the couch and watching your favorite sitcoms, or even sleeping off all the fatigue of the last few weeks – there are no restrictions!
- Seasonal Cleaning
Yes, we’re all used to spring cleaning. But, whenever kids spend extended periods of time at home, clutter tends to pile up no matter the season. It is important to straighten out all the corners of the house, so turn to some seasonal cleaning once the kids are back to school. Don’t be surprised if you find Cheerios under the bathroom mat, pennies tucked under the couch cushion, or even empty boxes of M & Ms under the bed. Take a deep breath and wipe out all evidence of the long days spent indoors.
- Establish a Routine
With the kids away at school, it is more than likely that you have a long checklist of things you want to get done. The best way to accomplish everything on the list is to get organized. Follow a routine that gives you enough time for each of your tasks. Do yourself a favor and keep aside some time for yourself. While the chores won’t do themselves, it is important that you don’t tire yourself by overdoing things.
- New Career
If you are a stay at home mom, you might want to consider working during your free hours. Depending on the ages of your kids and the amount of free time you have, you could consider working full time or choose to work part time from home. Your world might revolve around your family, but a little time to purse a hobby professionally or do something independently can be a rather rewarding experience.
- Learn a New Skill
When it comes deciding what you can do once the kids are back in school, it’s easy to sit down and make a list of all the chores you want done. However, investing some time in learning a new skill can be both therapeutic and gratifying. If you love to cook, try and learn recipes from a cuisine that you generally do not make at home. If you love music, you could learn to play an instrument or even join dance classes. Learning something new will keep you active and productively busy, and there’ll be something new you can flaunt next summer!
There are many possibilities when it comes to what you can do when your kids go back to school. It’s all about finding the right balance. Keep some time aside for yourself and spend the rest of the time taking care of all the chores that you were waiting all summer to get done. Enjoy the peace and quiet that you suddenly find yourself enveloped in. Yes, you might miss your darling little ones, but they’re going to come home in a few hours and everything will go back to normal.
