When you woke up and sent your kid to the first day of Kindergarten did you think, “Wow, life is gonna be so easy now that my kids are going to school!”
They will get out of the house and be occupied for the entire day while I’m super productive and get millions of things done. Heck, I’ll have so much extra time that I’ll sit on back patio and read a good book.
Then when I pick them up from school they’ll be so tired that they’ll just want to cuddle on the couch and watch movies.
I admit, I woke up thinking that in August of 2012. Little did I know that life would never be “easy” after entering grade school. EVER.
Keeping up with school aged children’s schedules/homework/calendars/sporting events/class parties and PTO meetings…is like living another life. On top of the life you’re already living.
So just when you thought you were a pretty “on top of it” mom? BAM…life serves you grade school.
And you now have 800 more responsibilities that no one warned you about.
Either that or they warned you and you never listened. Which is probably the case with me.
If this is you…RAISE YOUR HAND NOW?
Yea, like you’re in my classroom. {I’m raising my hand with you by the way.}
Now, listen up…because I’m about to make you feel a gazillion times better about yourself.
I completely failed as an organized parent the entire first year of my oldest son’s kindergarten year. I missed fundraiser deadlines, field trips, snack schedules, lunch packing and even homework on a few occasions. Y’all…I was a hot mess.
I remember plea-ing with his teacher…
“I’m really sorry. I swear I am a good mother and usually VERY organized. I have no idea why I can’t get it together for this school stuff. Please…forgive me and know that this is not the typical way I parent.”
Like I needed to justify to her why I was sucking as a mom.
It’s probably something that, as a kindergarten teacher, she heard numerous times each year from MANY different moms.
But still, I spent that entire year feeling awful about my abilities to raise kids. I questioned whether it was my selfishness that kept me from being organized or was it my laziness? Because, when it came to anything else in my life…I was type A and super-duper organized.
Why was it so hard for me to get this school thing in order, then?!?!
I can recall my son coming home during a cold day in November and he asked me why I was the only mommy that didn’t show up to his Thanksgiving party.
THANKSGIVING PARTY?
Heck, I must of completely disregarded that letter that came home weeks prior. Or maybe it got so mixed in with the 65 other parent notes that I just got confused and overlooked it.
Either way, I missed his party. But not just missed it…like I had to work and couldn’t take time off. I missed it because I completely failed to know it even existed. And this, my friends, was the norm for the entire 2012 school year.
I’m not proud. But I’m honest.
Honest because I’m certain I’m not the only mom failing at this. Honest because I know there have to be others struggling to keeping it all together like me.
If I’m being SUPER honest? First grade wasn’t a whole lot of improvement. I mean, I got a little better. I made sure I didn’t miss homework deadlines, but the organization of notes and papers and fundraiser forms was still out of control.
So I made it my mantra…that I was going to own 2nd grade. Like a mom on a mission.
Can I just tell you one small thing? Second grade starts in 2 weeks so I haven’t exactly figured out if I will “win” at this mom of school aged kids thing yet or not. But I plan to tackle it hard core this year.
This explains my “Kid Command Center”.
I figure if I have a “plan” in place…I’m setting myself up for success, right? I didn’t have a plan in kindergarten and first grade because I was completely clueless. Maybe I’m a slow learner or I “catch on” at the speed of a turtle…but at least I’m finally catching on. Even if it took me two long years.
I’m ready…second grade. YOU ARE MINE.
Source List:
Bulletin Board/Metal Boards – TJ Maxx
White Calendar and File Holders – Staples
Chevron Bulletin Board – DIY project made the same way I made THIS
In This House Sign – DIY made by a friend
Rugs – Target
Love this and feel the same way except my oldest is in Pre-K! My youngest turns one in a few days and i always feel scrambled like a hot mess! Maybe its growing up in Southern Illinois that makes us mom’s this way? Love the blog post and totally love the command center organization! Fab!
You look ready to me! I think you’ve got this! Let us know how it goes. My oldest doesn’t go off to school until next year so I’m trying to observe other moms this year and figure out some things that will work for us.
Do you have a link to the white calendar and file holder from Staples? I can’t find it on their website but it’d be perfect for our house! I’m the least organized person ever and with two kids in school soon, I have to shape up!
Its from the Martha Stewart line so if you look under her office supplies, you’ll see it!
Keep me posted. I have got grade 0 (your kindergarten) sort of covered. I have a planner on the fridge and try to write EVERYTHING on that!! If I have to remember something for school I generally stick it on the fridge with a magnet so that it’s in my face until I complete it. I would love a kids command center (family command center) but I have no idea how to make something that makes sense for our needs – a 6 year old; a mom; a dad and a 21 year old….(occasionally we toss in an 18 year old too)
You look ready! I have an wall for organizing, the problem is remembering to organize the organizing wall! Everything gets pinned there for later and then it all piles up.
I know the feeling of not being organized and feeling like you’re that mom. This year I had two in preschool and I couldn’t get my head in the game all year long. Next year one will be in kindergarten and one in preschool (which is no joke) and I’m petrified of what type of mom I’ll be this year!! Like said above I have a great comand center it’s just organizing the center that’s my problem. Best wishes to all the moms out there for this school year
Well… I wasn’t really worried about the Kindergarten schedule this fall… until this post. YIKES.
LOVE the command center!
I love your new organizing system at your home. I’m mom to 14 years old son who about enter first year of high school on end of August.
The easiest way is if you have planner with you so that way you remember to go any school events that your kids is having. Look in their backpack everyday to make sure they complete their homework and sign permission slip on same day also write down the field trip date on planner and calendar. I use portable files to file document each subject until end of the year. For art stuff use each child own paper boxes and look through later.
Hope this helps.
This looks amazing! I don’t have to worry about this quite yet since my daughter is only turning two this week, but I love this idea! I’m definitely a type-A also, so I’ll probably starting planning for kindergarten sometime tomorrow. Ha!
Also, on another note, when I looked at these photos the first thing I thought was, “Wow! I must have really great taste if we have the same rug!” Lol!
I totally agree that the school thing adds a whole different edge to the parenting game! I have a similar organization corner that is the life blood of the family. I added painted clothes pins to the bottom of mine to easily clip on notes and permission slips so they were in full view! I find that if I tucked them away they were forgotten!
My son is about to begin 2nd grade and my daughter kindergarten. I failed miserably k and 1st grade with him, also pleading with his 1st grade teacher :).
I have little white boards w pockets, all I need is a calendar now!!!
Cheering you on!!!!
I am a home-schooling mother and you just made me feel so much better about things! My son is also going into second grade this year and I am just starting to get the hang of things scheduling his work time and stuff has not been as straight forward as I though it would be since I also have a 3 year old at home. But thanks for writing this it makes me feel so much better!!
OMG! I seriously thought I was the only mom out there who felt this way. And the worse part of it is that I AM a kindergarten teacher! I should have this figured out right? Good luck and thanks for being honest!
So now that the school year is 7-8 weeks in, how are you keeping up with it? I am trying to figure out a way to be better organized with 3 kids (3 separate schools), multiple sports each, volunteering, and work part time. Whew! I have bought multiple things for a command center, but still end up throwing it all on the table. How are you keeping up with your changes? Thanks.