If you did a random poll of people across the country and asked them what their favorite time of year was, I bet you’d get a variety of answers like the holidays, summertime, Halloween, etc.  However, I bet if you specifically polled mothers of school aged children, especially if you asked them in June-August, you’d get the response  ‘Back to School‘ more often than not.

By now, most Moms have probably purchased all the items their children need to get back to school.  Everything from clothes and uniforms to school supplies, snacks and juice boxes for lunches.  But, Moms, have you put your back to school list together yet??

10 Back to School Supplies for Mom

1. Strong coffee set to automatically brew 10 minutes before you wake up.  You know who hates getting out of bed early as much as the kids?  In my house, it’s me.  I haven’t woken up on my own, without a child or alarm clock for six years. I’ve also spent the summer training my kids to sleep in to 8am-9am each morning. I have done nothing to reverse this routine and we’re all going cold turkey starting Monday and getting up 1-2 hours earlier.  To make it less painful on me, I plan on upping my coffee intake and not even attempting to wake them before I’ve had at least one cup lest I meet some resistance, give up and go back to bed.
2. Some grab and go clothing like yoga pants, comfy jeans, etc.  I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting up any earlier than I have to, and I’ve got no interest in an 8am fashion show.  I try at least to keep my lounge-wear as nice as possible (meaning no holes, paint stains, etc.).  There’s a time and a place for the latest fashion trends and the drop off line at the elementary school is not one of them.
3. That book you’ve been dying to read.  You know, the one that your kids kept you from reading all summer?  New York Times best seller?  Yeah, that one.  Time to order it up.
4. Bubble Bath.  Yeah, I said it. Bubble Bath.  It’s Mom time.  That means not having to stick your head out of the shower with shampoo running down your face and burning your eyes yelling, “What was that crashing sound?” or “What’s that smell?” or “Why is it so quiet? What are you kids doing now?” ten times during your 3 minute rushed shower.  It’s run a bath, pour in the bubbles and soak time.  Maybe even bring your new book.
5. Bon-bons, cookies, or whatever snack you don’t want to share with your kids.  Buy and hide the snack and break it out while you catch up on all of your shows on DVR or while you watch your afternoon soaps.
6. Crockpot (plus liners and recipes).  Crockpots might be the best thing ever invented.  I used to  loved them when I worked full time and dinner would be ready when I got home, and I love them just as much now that I stay at home and afternoons become a circus.  Crockpot meals  can be everything from pot roasts, whole chickens, pork chops, stews and soups and so much more. Plus with the handy little liners there’s virtually no mess to clean up afterwards.  So give yourself a break a couple nights a week and still look like a real Suzie Homemaker with a quick and easy crockpot meal.
7. Get Social.  You know who else is happy and wants to celebrate back to school?  Other Moms!  So host a luncheon with mini sandwiches and afternoon cocktails or better yet, go out and eat at a restaurant!
8. Take a nap.  Set your alarm for pick up time, turn on the noise machine, close the blinds and get horizontal.  You’ll be refreshed and ready for the battles that lie ahead for the last part of the day.
   
9. Hobbies, Housework and Helping.  The three H’s of back to school.  Got a hobby? Like to scrapbook, craft, or anything of the sort?  How about organizing that closet or office?  Need to get that vacuuming done?  Why not volunteer in all your free time? Hell, you’ve got hours of free time now that school has started up, right?
   
10. Pick your poison.  I like wine. Pinot Grigio to be exact. I find it helps me unwind after an early morning of battling kids out of bed, a rough morning of bubble baths and reading followed by crockpot cooking and bon-bon eating while watching ABC Soap marathons.  A glass or two could be just what the doctor diva ordered to end a busy back to school day.

Who the hell am I kidding?  I only have one kid starting Monday, a four year old in pre-K for a couple hours, and a two year old who has practically abandoned naps. Really it just means more running around, field trips, sick visits, and less daylight to get it all done.  However, I do have hopes that this will be me in three more years when all three are in school five days a week! (A girl can dream, right?)

What about you?  What did you do to get ready for the school year?  Leave me a comment!  And while you’re here, if you liked the post, please take a quick second and click on the link to vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. Just one click casts an automatic vote for me!  That’s it!  Thanks!

In an effort to reduce anxiety or crying at the pediatrician’s office, I have developed a plan for well visits (sick ones are another animal all together) that has been a work in progress for the last five years or so.  Basically, in addition to talking with the kids about exactly what will happen while they are at the doctors so hopefully they can be relaxed for the exam, I also bribe the shit out of them and practically beg for good behavior.  Both of my boys used to cry and throw a fit at every visit until age four.  The kicker here is that they would be freaking out through the exam and be done crying by the time they got the shots. My daughter, however, has been much better and she hasn’t shed a tear since her 15 month visit.

Monday morning Jake had his 4 year check up and I was hoping this would be his first tear free visit.  As we drove the ten minutes to the office, we briefly discussed (again) how he would be weighed, measured, have his eyes, throat and and ears examined.  We talked about the eye test, how he’d probably have to bend down and touch the floor so they could check his spine, and lastly how they’d check in his underwear.  This last piece of information I saved because I knew he’d enjoy asking me why they’d be checking his “balls” six hundred times, most likely when in public.  So with less than three minutes until we arrived, I just gave a quick response of “they just want to make sure all that you have the right number of parts” to his question of “why?”  This off the cuff answer was enough to quiet him- for the moment…

Not long after arriving, it was apparent Jake was much more at ease which proved to be less of a blessing and more of a curse.  Jake, as some of you know, has a way with words.  Whether it be at home, at school, at the store with an androgynous cashier,  or at the pediatrician’s office, Jake, given the right mood and the right amount of time, can really make me wish that the Earth would just open and swallow me whole.  This was one of those times.

Here’s the highlights:

1.  The receptionist asked Jake if he wanted to draw on some paper (instead of the receipt I had given him), and he replied, “No thank you.  My Mom says your stuff is covered in germs.”

2.  Across the hall, on the sick side, a father let his 12-14 month old baby crawl around on the floor.  Jake, even though in a separate waiting room, announces “I don’t think that baby should just be crawling around in there. Now that Dad has a dirty baby.”  I’m sure the Dad wanted to thank Jake for his 4yr old wisdom and parenting advice.

3. Son of a bitch. I forgot to talk about the hearing test.  This was the first time he was tested since birth and was told to raise a hand when he heard a “beep.”  Jake, clearly annoyed with this surprise test, sits with his hands folded in his lap. When the nurse asks if he hears “beeps” Jake says “no.”  She wheels the machine away, which apparently is a loaner while the regular machine is being fixed, and has another nurse make sure it’s working properly. I just eye ball Jake and tell him to raise his damn hand becuase I know he hears it.  The machine comes back, Jake’s hands remain lowered. I see his eyes move around and notice a smirk corresponding with the nurse pressing the button. She notices too and asks him to say “beep.” This stimuli and response is more pleasing so he says “beep” three, maybe four times, but insists he can’t hear the softer beeps.  The persistent nurse, who probably should be paid more than whatever she makes for her patience and endurance,  tries for another ten minutes removing the headphones, listening to the beeps herself and watching Jake play deaf.

4.  The eye test immediately follows the hearing test.  Jake remembers talking about the eye exam, but is still annoyed about the previous hearing test. He half cooperates and now I have a prescription to take him to an eye doctor.  I have a flash back to Joey, who performed equally as poorly at his four year visit, only to have his vision miraculously return by age five.  The Vatican has not yet deemed this an official miracle, but surely they will soon.

5.  The doctor asks Jake to draw and “X” to which he complies and then he proceeds to draw a stegosaurus. This is impressive not just because he’s only four, but also because he’s apparently blind.

6.  The doctor asked me how Jake’s diet was, and if he eats fruits, veggies, meats, etc.  Jake, is by far, my best eater and loves just about every fruit and veggie.  He proudly tells her he grows lots of veggies in a garden and love tomatoes.  He also adds that he really likes when I make chicken, spinach and mushrooms, but that our fresh spinach is done growing and I don’t buy any more mushrooms because the last time I did “Mommy got bad diarrhea.”

7.  When the doctor goes to check his privates, Jake tells her, “Okay, but you don’t have to…I have the right number of balls.”

FML.

It's pretty apparent when Jake's not in the mood to do something

The Earth failed to swallow me, but at least Jake didn’t cry this time…although when he was crying before there was a lot less yapping.

Best part of all?  I get to take Joey back next week for his visit. I’m thinking of wearing a disguise.

How do your doctor’s visits go? Leave me a comment! And while you’re here, take a quick second and click on the banner below to vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs! Just one click is all it takes to cast an automatic vote for me! Thank you!!