4.) I pack their backpacks. As in with the lunches, I used to make this one of their chores, making sure they had everything they needed for the day. But now that I'm sacrificing their organizational skills for a summer sleep schedule, I do it myself. Again, sanity saved.
Yes, I am aware that doing all this myself puts more work on me, and lowers the expectation for the kids. It was a hard transition, this taking it all on myself, since I had always read that you are better off to empower your kids, to give them expectations and then reward them. Well, guess what? It made me late, which made me crazy, which made me a yeller. I don't want to be a yeller.
We've moved all their chores and expectations to things that go on in the evening when we return home for the day. They are to disassemble their bagpacks and lunchboxes and put them away when they come in. They put their shoes in the shoe bin, they take the dog out. All of this has to happen before they are allowed any screen time (our name for watching TV or playing computer or video games). Things they can do at their own pace without me standing over their shoulder urging them to hurry up.
I'm sure our adjustment to the school year start-up in August will have its stumbling blocks, too. But at least I know it's coming, and have a plan of attack.
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