I Expect More From My Kids

Lately on social media I see loads of back-to-school organization tips and picture tutorials for packing the perfect lunch. I’m over here shaking my head.

It is just too much.

Parents proudly showing off the chore charts they made or the homework centers; snacks in shoe hangers labeled what is appropriate to eat when; tooth brush stations with timers and towers of plastic drawers with outfits labeled for the entire week.

No thanks.

Instead of making it hard on myself to make it easy on my kids-I’m going to simply expect more from my kids.

Instead of taking it upon myself I’m putting it upon my kids.

My preparation for back-to-school involves holding my kids accountable and responsible for their self and that includes school organization.

Sure, I’m happy to help, encourage and provide things. But I am only giving tools to them. I’m not doing it for them.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. #truth

My 4th grader and 1st grader can lay out their own clothes the night before school. I don’t want to or need to label drawers with the days of the week and all their outfits neatly placed inside. They will do their homework at the kitchen table while I make dinner.

Life with kids in school doesn’t have to be fancy or systematically organized at every turn to work.

Organization is great-but what’s wrong with expecting our kids to get on with it and do their chores because we said so, not because of a reward chart.

Teaching my kids to be independent and self sufficient is my goal and I’m prepping for a great school year.

Back To School Shoes

Dressing Twins Alike, Except For Their Shoes

Identical twin boys-they are the same but different in many ways. I can tell them apart, but many people cannot, including their teachers.  Matters made worse  when I dress them alike. Opps.

But, that is a perk of having twins- right? The cuteness factor doubles when dressed alike. Alas, I needed a surefire way to tell them apart with a quick glance, even when dressed alike. Something that could help define them daily.

It came down to shoes. In different colors. Problem solved, but not as easily as it sounds.

My wish list for a school shoe is simple.  My search isn’t always so.

Shoes need to velcro

Shoes need to be sporty

Shoes need to come in toddler sizes

Shoes need to come in multiple ( or at least 2) colors

After narrowing it down and down and down…my search led me to one brand.

Saucony.

This comfortable, easy to get on  (by themselves), big kid-looking athletic shoe, in so many fun colors, is the perfect choice for us. 

Blue and green again for the win.