The month of May can be pure Mayhem for moms (say that 5 times fast!). The end of the school year can bring a ton of excitement. But also a ton of “to dos”. The kids have pretty much checked out right after their end-of-year exams. They all love this time – the activities, the field trips, the parties. But, as a mom of five, I’m exhausted! I’ve talked to a lot of other moms who feel the same way, so I know I’m not alone. I don’t know if it’s because I now have five children I have to manage during this busy time. Or if the end of the school year is just getting busier and busier every year. Making it through the last weeks of school can be rough.
We have 3 kids changing schools next year. One is going from preschool to elementary, one from elementary to middle, and the last from middle to high school. With that, we have 3 graduations/promotion ceremonies/award ceremonies to prep for. Not to mention the end of the year field trips and activities I have to keep track of for each of them. Beyond that, there’s the money that’s required for all of it! To top it off, my middle daughter has her end of the year dance recital coming up a week after school ends.
It’s a stressful time.
But here are my tips for making it through these last few weeks:
Write it all down
I used to think I could remember everything – until I had 5 kids! Nowadays, if I don’t write something down, it just doesn’t get done. So, I encourage you to not only make a mental note of things that need to get done. But write it down so you can organize everything and make a plan. As soon as you get a letter, e-mail, or message from the teacher, write it down on a central planner so it’s all in one place.
I’ve created an End of School Planning Worksheet and Calendar to help through this time. You can find them in my Resource Library. Having a central place like this has saved me from missing out on important things! On this sheet, you can write each activity as soon as you know about it for each child. Plus list the money or materials needed for the activity. Then transfer the activity over to the calendar for a good overview of your month. Keep in mind, these worksheets can also be used year-round to keep track of school activities.
Don’t overcommit
My kids know they can’t do everything that’s thrown their way – especially this time of year. Their class field trips are usually a must because we don’t want them to feel left out or miss a great experience with their classmates. But, my kids can’t attend every party they’re invited to, or every outside event that isn’t school-related. Luckily our weekend sports and other activities are winding down, so we have less of a commitment there. Their days are so busy right now, that sometimes we need the weekends to just wind down and relax.
I also have to remind myself that during this time, I may have to forgo extra activities for myself. Unless I absolutely need them to stay sane! It’s better to just stay focused on the kids’ needs right now. Instead of worrying about anything extra on my plate. So, paring down my personal schedule during this time is a must. And it’s what I recommend for any busy mom.
Make a budget and stick to it!
I find that it’s helpful to set aside a budget ahead of time just for end of the year activities. Of course, last minute things pop up. But its helpful to plan ahead while still allowing some wiggle room for the unexpected. Some things to remember in your budget: yearbooks, field trips, spending money for field trips, school dance, class parties, class activities, graduations, gifts for teachers, clothes for events. Dave Ramsey’s Every Dollar app is a great way to stay on top of your budget.
Share in their excitement
The kids are all excited, and you don’t want to be the Debbie Downer to ruin it for them. This is a time of transitions for them – from one grade to the next, one school to the next. Let your kids know you’re proud of them for everything they’ve accomplished, and celebrate with them! They’ll (hopefully!) only be in this grade once. So give them some great memories as they round out the school year! Treat yourself, too, as summer rolls around. You made it through another school year, too. Celebrate right along with them because you deserve it!
If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to show your kids some love during this crazy time, grab my FREE printable love notes here!
You can do this!!
P.S. You can get your End of School Planning Worksheet and Calendar in my Resource Library by signing up below. There, you’ll have access to other cheat sheets, printables, and worksheets to help you balance your many roles. You’ll also receive my weekly newsletter with encouragement, lessons learned, and tips on making it through this journey as a working wife and mom.
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