The Emotional Rollercoaster
The end of the school year is an emotional time for moms. As the final days of school approach, you may feel a mix of sadness, nostalgia, excitement and relief.
Sadness comes from realizing how quickly the school year flew by. It feels like just yesterday you were prepping for the first day of school, and now your kids have grown and learned so much over the past 10 months. You may mourn the closing of this chapter and how fast your kids are growing up.
Nostalgia sets in as you think back over the year’s memories – the first day of school pics, the class projects you helped with, the field trips, the proud moments when your child accomplished something new. Cherish these memories as the school year draws to a close.
Excitement builds as summer break nears. You can’t wait for lazy summer days, vacation plans, and making memories with your kids. The anticipation of warm weather and a more relaxed schedule is energizing.
Finally, relief comes knowing you’ve made it through another school year. The constant juggle of school, activities, homework and more can be draining. You look forward to a break from the hectic pace and daily grind.
This rollercoaster of emotions is normal. Allow yourself to fully feel this range of sentiment as you reflect back on the year. Then look ahead to what summer holds for your family.
Managing End-of-Year Activities
The end of the school year often comes with an onslaught of activities and events to close out the year. Here are some tips to help manage it all:
- Get a calendar. Sit down with your kids and collect all the end-of-year events, due dates, parties, etc. and put them on a calendar you can reference. This will help you visualize everything that’s happening.
- Prioritize. Not everything is mandatory, so determine what’s most important for your family to participate in. It’s ok to skip some of the extras.
- Involve your kids. Have older kids help with planning and preparations. Delegate tasks like making treats or decorations for class parties.
- Set limits. Avoid overscheduling by blocking off family time. Decline any optional activities that would push your limits.
- Recruit help. Don’t go at it alone if you’re able. Ask your spouse, family members or other parents to help with tasks like chaperoning field trips.
- Embrace the chaos. Accept that things will be busier and more hectic, but remember it’s only temporary.
- Celebrate milestones. Make time to enjoy end-of-year moments like preschool graduation, award ceremonies, final plays or concerts.
The key is staying organized, setting priorities, delegating tasks, and accepting you can’t do it all. With some planning the end of the school year can be managed smoothly.
Summer Prep
The end of the school year brings both excitement and anxiety around planning for summer. Many parents start prepping for summer schedules and activities weeks or even months in advance. Here are some tips for getting a head start on summer prep:
- Research local summer camps and programs. Popular camps fill up fast, so look into enrollment deadlines and put deposits down early for your top choices. Make a list of various options in case your first picks are full.
- Figure out your childcare plan if both parents work full-time. Will you use a day camp, part-time babysitter or nanny, or rely on family help? Interview potential caregivers ahead of time.
- Create a preliminary summer schedule for your kids. Block out any camps they’re enrolled in and other activities like sports clinics or lessons. Note your own work hours and schedule so you can coordinate care.
- Begin talking to your kids about expectations and rules for the summer, especially if they’ll have more unstructured time. Set limits around screen time, bedtimes, chores, etc.
- Start collecting ideas for free or low-cost local summer activities like library programs, museums with free admission days, and city/county events. Make an ongoing list to reference when planning weekend family time.
- Begin packing up the school year. Have your kids go through backpacks and desks to clean out any work and papers to keep or toss. Organize school supplies to reuse next year.
- Do a closet changeover to swap out cool weather clothes for summer clothes as the seasons shift. Put away any uniforms, sweaters and heavy coats.
Getting a head start on summer planning makes the transition smoother when the school year ends. With camps enrolled, childcare arranged, and schedules mapped out, you’ll be ready to kick off summer on the right foot!
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Self-Care Tips
With everything going on, it’s easy for moms to neglect self-care. But taking care of yourself is crucial during this stressful time. Here are some easy ways to practice self-care despite the busyness:
- Exercise. Even a short 10-minute walk around the block can refresh you. Or do some quick stretches when you have a spare moment.
- Relax. When the kids are occupied, take five minutes to simply sit, breathe deeply, and clear your mind.
- Enjoy the moment. When you’re doing something with your kids, like watching their game or performance, be fully present rather than thinking ahead to everything else on your to-do list.
- Treat yourself. Get a pedicure, enjoy a sweet treat, or take a long bath when you get a chance. You deserve it!
- Connect with friends. Schedule a coffee date or quick phone call to chat with a girlfriend. Adult interaction can lift your spirits.
- Get more sleep. Go to bed earlier or nap when kids are at school. Proper rest will help you tackle each day.
- Ask for help. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Let your partner, family and friends pitch in more during this time.
Taking little moments for yourself throughout the day can help you stay balanced, refreshed and better able to cherish the end-of-year memories with your kids.
Making Memories
The end of the school year is bittersweet. While it’s exciting to have a break from the daily grind, it’s also emotional to leave classmates and teachers behind. Make the most of your remaining time together as a family before summer activities take over. Here are some ideas for spending quality time and making memories:
- Have a movie night – Make popcorn, get comfy PJs on, and let the kids pick a favorite family-friendly flick to watch together. Bring out blankets and pillows to make it extra cozy.
- Go on a picnic – Pack a simple picnic dinner or dessert and head to a local park. Let the kids play while you relax and soak up the slower pace. Lay out a blanket and enjoy the fresh air.
- Visit a zoo or children’s museum – These places are perfect for family bonding. Let the kids lead the way and really explore exhibits at their own pace. Take the summer crowds into account and go on a weekday, if possible.
- Camp in the backyard – Pitch a tent, roll out sleeping bags, make s’mores over a small fire, and tell stories while looking at the stars. Let the kids stay up late and enjoy this special family campout.
- Plant a summer garden – Head to a nursery to pick out seeds and starter plants. Spend an afternoon getting your hands dirty while teaching kids about gardening. They’ll love watering and watching the plants grow over the summer.
- Volunteer as a family – Find an age-appropriate volunteer activity to participate in, like a park cleanup day, meal service at a shelter, or making care packages for people in need. Giving back together teaches valuable lessons.
The end of the school year presents many emotions. But focusing on spending meaningful time together can help create positive memories to cherish from this season of life.
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