Mom’s Back to School To-Do List That’s Not About the Kids

There are a ton of articles out there giving you tips to get your kids ready for school. You can find some of them right here on DIY Adulation. However, there are things that moms need to do to get ready for the school year that aren’t about the kiddos. That’s why I’m sharing mom’s back to school to-do list with you.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

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[bctt tweet=”Mom’s back to school to-do list is exactly what busy moms need to prepare for the school year from updating the budget to organizing your day!” username=”diyadulation”]

Mom’s back to school to-do list focuses on all of those things that we often forget about during the craziness of back to school. Is your monthly budget updated for the school year? Have you worked out what your day looks like while the kids are school? These are the things that aren’t covered with tips for preparing your kiddos.

They’re still totally important parts of getting ready for the upcoming school year, though. Make your life easy with this list of the often overlooked details that moms need to get ready for anything the school year can throw at you. You owe it to yourself to make the transition as easy on you as you make it for the kiddos.

 

Loose 20 Dollar Bills

1. Prep Your Finances for Back to School

Back to school comes with extra costs that aren’t in your summer budget. It’s important to start planning for those expenses in your budget now. I also recommend keeping some of the school money budget in cash. There’s nothing worse than finding out right before school that your child needs money for something and not having the cash on hand. Here are a few school expenses to consider when planning your monthly budget.

 

Planner and Accessories next to Flowers

2. Grab Your New Planner

I’m a huge fan of refreshing your planner when school starts. Your kiddos are getting their new planners and your daily schedule is getting a major overhaul from summer. A fresh planner makes the whole process easier and helps you get excited to tackle your day’s organization. I love the Big Happy Planner because it’s so easy to customize with the sections that I need to keep our whole family organized.

3. Create Your Meal Plan

Speaking of getting your new planner squared away, now is the time to start planning your meals for the busy school year. Prepare easy breakfasts kids can make themselves in the morning and freeze sandwiches for easy lunch packing. Don’t forget about yourself too, especially if all of your kids will be in school this year. Prep your meals for the week and set an alarm to remember to eat. Without kiddos constantly requesting snacks and meals, it’s easy to lose track of time and forget to eat during the day.

 

Kids Sorting Through Clothes

4. Purge Kid’s Clothes

Before you go shopping for back to school clothes, you want to have a clear idea of what your kids actually need. Purging clothes that are in poor condition and that no longer fit them is the easiest way to do this. Take some time before the summer ends to sift through every piece of clothing and donate the ones that are still in good condition but don’t fit. Not only does this help you get organized, it will also save you money when you go shopping.

This is also the perfect time to separate school clothing from play clothing. I like to keep a drawer designated for play clothes so that the kids can easily find outfits to wear outside after school. This can be a great way to reuse those clothes that still fit but aren’t in good enough condition to wear to school.

5. Plan Your New Routine

Whether all of your kiddos will be in school or you’ll still have little ones at home, your daily routine changes drastically from summer vacation to the school year. Grab a daily planner (you only need one sheet) and sketch a rough idea of what your day will look like. Don’t worry if this changes once you get into the swing of the school year. This simply gives you a map to your days when you pull out your planner.

6. Review the School Calendar

It’s easy to get caught up in the back to school craziness and forget that life still continues outside of school. Review the school calendar and put it in your planner now. This makes scheduling the holidays and any vacations so much easier later on. You also want to make note of any administrative and one-off days that the kids don’t have school during the year.

 

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7. Think About You

Another thing that moms forget about during the school year is taking care of themselves. I’m totally guilty of this. Summer runs me ragged between vacations, activities, holidays, and the insanity that comes from having 3 kiddos at home during the day. It’s easy to let self-care slide during the summer months. School starting is the perfect opportunity to make self-care a priority again. Make it even easier on yourself and schedule weekly self-care in your planner. Scheduling it makes you more likely to follow through on it.

Find tons of tips about taking care of yourself in the series How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood.

8. Create a Paper System Now

The school year means it’s time to get prepared for an onslaught of papers. Get a system in place now that makes corralling it all a breeze. I recommend having at least 2 different baskets. One for papers that need mom’s attention right away. This is for permission slips, order forms, and anything else that needs action from mom. The second basket is for all of the items that they want to share with you. My kiddos love showing me their artwork, great test scores, etcetera. Unfortunately, my schedule isn’t always conducive to a 30-page paper viewing right after school. The second basket lets the kids clean out their folder and prepare their bags for the next day without my immediate attention. Then when I have a moment, we can go through the papers together when I can give them my full attention.

9. Prep a Car Bag

As kids get more involved in sports and other activities, there will more and more time that you spend in the car. Be ready with a car bag stocked with items you need in a pinch. Items to include in your car bag:

10. Label Everything

Don’t put it off until the last minute. Instead, take the time now to label everything. I love my label maker for labeling things like lunch containers, school supplies, and water bottles but you also want label coats, jackets, and backpacks too. For these items a permanent marker works just fine. Again, don’t put this off. There is so much to label especially as you get more kiddos in school. Get started now to avoid a mad labeling dash the night before school starts.

 

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Mom’s back to school to-do list is exactly what busy moms need to prepare for the school year transition. It helps you effectively plan your new routine, update your budget, and generally make your daily life so much easier. I think we can all use a little more easy in our lives. Make your life even easier with the awesome back to school planner available to monthly printable bundle subscribers! Learn more right here!

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Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete

Do you have a bucket list? If so, how many of the things on it have you actually done? Don’t worry if your answer is in the single digits. These tips will help you make a bucket list you’ll actually complete.

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[bctt tweet=”How many items on on your bucket list have you actually done? Don’t worry. These tips will help you make a bucket list you’ll actually complete.” username=”diyadulation”]

I have been lucky enough to do many great things and have tons of awesome experiences in my life. Then one day, I realized I had stopped. I got caught up in raising a family and daily life.

It happens to the best of us but once you realize it, you want to do something about it. A bucket list is a great way to change it around.

If you actually do it, that is. That is exactly what these tips help you do.

 

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Start with What You Have Done

Start by making a list of all of the amazing things you have already done. When you see how much you’ve already accomplished, it will motivate you to start again. That’s how you get the initial push to start again.

There are no wrong answers here, either. Everything that you feel is an accomplishment, unique experience, or enriching should go on the list. Here is a short example for you:

  1. Visit Montreal
  2. Go to Disney World
  3. See Boston in Concert
  4. Crowd Surf
  5. Fly in a Plane
  6. Write a Book
  7. Perform Live on Stage
  8. Try Out for The Voice
  9. Go Skinny Dipping
  10. Perform in a Play
  11. Win an Award/Trophy
  12. Complete a 5K
  13. Ride a Horse
  14. Pet a Shark
  15. Ride an Elephant
  16. Feed a Giraffe
  17. Attend New Orleans Jazz Festival
  18. Eat Alligator
  19. See the Nutcracker Ballet
  20. Get Paid to Sing

Not all of these are huge things but they all meant something to me. Seeing it all laid out on a list makes you feel pretty awesome and accomplished. You are a person, a unique individual who has so much more to give than what you give yourself credit for.

 

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Make Your Bucket List

Once you complete the list of things you have already done, it’s time to make your bucket list. You were likely inspired by new ideas while compiling the list above. Write them down: all of them. Anything and everything you can think of that you want to do, try, and experience.

Here is another quick example:

  1. Be an Extra in a Horror Movie
  2. Go Snorkeling
  3. Visit Hawaii
  4. Take a European Vacation
  5. Go on an Overnight Ghost Hunt
  6. Stay in an Over-water Bungalow
  7. Go to Super Bowl
  8. Attend Comi-Con in San Diego
  9. Throw an Over-the-Top Birthday Party
  10. Go on a Huge Tropical Zip Line
  11. Try Glass Blowing
  12. Go on a Cruise
  13. Try a Sensory Deprivation Tank
  14. Earn a Million Dollars
  15. Attend a Crab Boil
  16. Eat at the Hello Kitty Food Truck
  17. Meet the Core Buffy “Scooby Gang”
  18. Sleep in a Haunted House
  19. Go on a Safari
  20. Donate Blood

Notice how there are seriously all kinds of things on this list. From places to visit to conquering fears and even to financial milestones, they are all part of my bucket list. Remember, you decide what goes on it and it can be absolutely anything you want.

 

White Frame with Chalkboard

Prominently Feature Your Bucket List

After you finish your bucket list, you need to keep that baby front and center on your mind. A great way to do this is to literally hang it on the wall.

If you have a large dry erase board you can write your bucket list on there and hang it. You can also make the super easy DIY chalkboard in this tutorial to write them on.

 

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Share Your Bucket List

Lastly, share it with your family, including your kids. There are 3 reasons for this:

  1. This helps keep you accountable.
  2. It prepares your kids for the times you do things without them.
  3. Lastly, it’s a great behavior to model for your kids.

I love kids for their honesty. When they see you checking off items on the list, they will get excited. On the flip side of that, they won’t hesitate to point out when it has been a while since you checked one off.

Bonus Tip: Schedule It

In case you haven’t notice, I’m a big proponent for scheduling things. When you take the time to write them down and plan them, it makes it easier to stick to. Additionally, it gives you a deadline. I recommend scheduling at least 4 bucket list items a year. Ideally these would be 3 smaller ones that are simple and inexpensive to complete and 1 large one that is consumes more time, planning, and money.

 

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When you start with your accomplishments, keep your list prominent, and share it with family you will finally make a bucket list you’ll actually complete. The life we live and who we become is essentially made up of each one of these experiences. They shape and form us which is pretty cool when you think about it. That means we have a lot more control over who we become than we like to believe.

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How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood Series

  1. Introduction
  2. Why All Moms Need a Journal
  3. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery
  4. Find Your Cheerleaders
  5. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards
  6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs
  7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time
  8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery
  9. How to Love Yourself First
  10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive
  11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom
  12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers
  13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships
  14. It’s Time to Break-up with Yourself
  15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging
  16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It
  17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM
  18. Turn Someday into Today
  19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes
  20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies
  21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love
  22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine
  23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk
  24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself
  25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
  26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
  27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly
  28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home
  29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House
  30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom
  31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection 

 

Turn Someday into Today – Live Your Best Life Now

How many times have you caught yourself saying, someday I want to *insert desire here* only to have years go by? This is a common form of procrastination that isn’t limited to moms. It is time to turn someday into today and live your best life now.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

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[bctt tweet=”How many times have you said, ‘someday I want to…’ and years go by? Realize that you are procrastinating and it is more urgent to turn someday into today.” username=”diyadulation”]

My mom told me a story one day about realizing how she always said, “Someday I’m going to do that.” One day the realization hit her that “someday” never comes. She decided in that moment to turn someday into today and start doing the things she wanted.

I always think about that story when I find myself saying things like, “One day I’ll go to Hawaii” or “Someday I want to take the kids zip lining.” In those moments, I reflect on my mom’s words and think about the real reasons I’m saying someday.

For instance, a trip to Hawaii isn’t exactly in the budget while we’re paying off debt. So saying one day for this isn’t putting it off, it’s pragmatic and responsible.

Taking the kids zip lining on the other hand is an activity that we could totally make happen right now. Saying someday for this one is procrastination. This is an activity I should prioritize.

 

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How to Turn Someday into Today

If you find yourself saying someday a lot, I have some tips to help you turn someday into today. Feel free to use one or all of them to help you live your best life now.

Be Cognizant

This is the easiest way to start being mindful about things you are putting off. Oftentimes this presents itself for moms in the form of saying, “Someday I’ll start going to the gym” or “Someday I’ll try that pottery class.”

When you catch yourself thinking or saying these things, pause and think about why. When you are cognizant about when you’re saying these things, it is easier to reflect.

 

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Start Small

In the example I used above, the expensive vacation isn’t in the cards until we’ve paid off our debt. However, in the interim there are smaller “somedays” we can do.

The same goes for you. If you have always wanted to join an adult sports league but can’t work it into your schedule yet, find a pick-up game or volunteer to be an alternate for a team.

This lets you ease into the activity until you finish optimizing your schedule.

Bonus Example:

Make a Yearly To-Do List

Moms know the importance of a to-do list to stay on top of daily tasks. However, what if you took that same approach to fun and trying new things? Imagine how much more fulfilled you will feel checking those things off of your list.

Learn more about how to Make Time for Fun with a Yearly To-Do List.

Essentially, this is a list of activities, events, and new experiences you want to complete throughout the year. When you put them on paper it forces you to notice when too many months go by without checking one off. Also, there is something so satisfying about completing tasks on a to-do list that you actually love and want to do.

 

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Break Down a Long Term Plan

If you ever want to achieve the truly big things that you keep putting off until the amorphous someday, you need to create a broken down long term plan. Start with the end goal in mind and work your way back in steps you need to take to get there.

For example, if you want to travel the world, make a plan for it. Make a list of all of the places you want to see, then either gear your plan towards a retirement that accommodates those plans or break it down into mini trips that you will take throughout your lifetime.

Continue breaking the long term plan down until you have small, actionable steps you can start completing today. This can be as simple as saving $100 a month toward your next trip until you can afford it. It ensures that you are consistently working towards it and is small enough that it doesn’t impede your current lifestyle. That is the ultimate place you are trying to get to when it comes to breaking down your long term plan.

 

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Once you realize that you are truly procrastinating when you say someday you will do something it makes it more urgent to turn someday into today. No more excuses and no more putting it off. It’s time to live your best life now and start truly making a dent in all of the many experiences you want to have in this life. Remember to be cognizant, start small, and make a yearly to-do list to motivate you to keep after it.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

 

How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood Series

  1. Introduction
  2. Why All Moms Need a Journal
  3. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery
  4. Find Your Cheerleaders
  5. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards
  6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs
  7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time
  8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery
  9. How to Love Yourself First
  10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive
  11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom
  12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers
  13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships
  14. It’s Time to Break-up with Yourself
  15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging
  16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It
  17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM
  18. Turn Someday into Today
  19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes
  20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies
  21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love
  22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine
  23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk
  24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself
  25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
  26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
  27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly
  28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home
  29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House
  30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom
  31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection