If I could have planned the timing of number 3 better, I would have. I wouldn’t have had the pregnancy start the very month I broke my ankle (I mean, seriously?). And I most definitely wouldn’t have had her be just 8-weeks-old when her oldest brother toddles off for his first day at school. But falling pregnant with ease isn’t one of my skills and the truth is, we wanted her for well over a year so when she showed up we were bursting with excitement and the whole planning for ‘ease in life’ was out the window.

I’m well aware that my mornings are going to be busy but my routine of packing lunch boxes the night before and laying the clothes out will help with some of the stress. It’s the afternoons I am most worried about and so that’s where I’m putting up my hand and saying I need HELP.

Here’s what I am doing:

I’ve got help for the afternoons.

I remember reading a post by the ‘Parenting Boys’ guru Maggie Dent about the biggest issue she sees of parents with newborns; it was not getting adequate help. Her exact words of ‘get family or friends to help out’ or ‘if that isn’t an option, get some hired help.’ I think her line of ‘find the money, heck remortgage the house (joking) if that means you can pay someone to help you’ has really stuck with me.  Lucky for me, I have some great friends that are helping out.

I’m getting my home organised, so things run smoother.

My eldest would probably be my hardest babe to manage, I am not sure if it’s age or personality, but he can be VERY hard work. So since January 1st I’ve been meal planning like an absolute ninja and ensuring dinner is ready to go by early afternoon so he can eat on time. I hope that I’ll do this during the school year so when my little guy comes home, he’ll eat dinner instead of an afternoon snack. Come 6pm, if he’s still up, he can have a snack. I’ve also done a lot of decluttering in the home, so there’s a clear space for his bag, uniform, books etc.  

I’m readying the whole family for the change.

I’m a little worried about my middle guy when school starts; he hasn’t known a life (or an outing) without his big brother in tow and gosh he is a kind, wears his heart on his sleeve little guy. Lately, we’ve been chatting about school and that it means his days will be filled with mumma and baby, but come 3pm, his brother will be home, and we can all play together then. I’ve also encouraged hubby to see if he can move a few things around in his work diary so that he can do a drop-off a day a week too. He’s a wonderful hands-on Dad, so I hope he gets to experience that time too.

Are you in a similar boat to me, do you have young’uns at home and a big kid that is starting school? How are you going with the change?

If you’re after some more tips to get ready for school, pop over to the NSW Education website and have a read of their checklists on how to prepare at home, information on your child’s wellbeing, health and safety while at school as well as activities and talking points for kids who are starting kindergarten.

And good luck for the big first day!

This is a sponsored post for NSW Education. 

PS. I wrote a post about  Make It Fun! 5 Tips To Get The Kids Involved In Back To School Prep. Pop over and have a read.