A Few Back-To-School Things…

It’s the first day of school for us so I thought it would be the perfect time to share a few school things…

Staying Healthy

To give our kids a little immune boost at the beginning of the year, I always add a few extra vitamins and supplements to their evening routine to keep them feeling their best. After a few weeks I taper down on these and then ramp them back up during the cold/flu season or anytime they start feeling run down.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This is what works for my own family.

• Sovereign Silver Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol: This immune boosting concentration only contains two ingredients (10 ppm of 99.999% pure silver & pharmaceutical-grade purified water) and tastes like water, so my kids don’t complain about taking it. We use it once a day, but if the kids start feeling unwell we increase our frequency.
• Garlic Shots: My kids HATE these, but they are my last resort when I can tell they are starting to come down with something. Instructions: Mince one clove of garlic per person. Let it rest for about 10 minutes. Add honey or juice to wash it down! I have and LOVE this garlic mincer — super effective and easy to clean!
• Wellness Defense Complex Chewables: A powerful blend of vitamins, herbs and nutrients including echinacea, elderberry, astragalus, marshmallow, mushrooms, and zinc.

Lice Prevention

Lice has been going around like CRAZY in Charlotte this summer and unfortunately our house was not spared. It was the worst surprise (thankfully we caught it super early, and only one person had it), but we’ve been lice-free long enough now that I can finally talk about it without my entire body itching.

I hope it never finds its way to your home, but if you do need a lice removal treatment in Charlotte, I highly recommend Pediatric Hair Solutions. It’s pricey, but totally worth it to have a medically trained professional effectively remove it in just an hour!

And also, PLEASE do yourself a favor and BUY FAIRY TALES ROSEMARY REPEL to use daily when your kids return to school. We’ve used this for years and it works! We didn’t use it all summer and…well…lesson learned.

The After-School Restraint Collapse

Every year, I make it a point to share about “after-school restraint collapse,” especially for moms with kids starting Kindergarten, daycare, or even a new grade. If you’re noticing your child coming home from school highly emotional, melting down over small things like putting on a jacket, doing homework, or even hearing what’s for dinner, you’re not alone.

When Caroline started Kindergarten, we noticed this sudden shift in her behavior. Despite getting plenty of sleep, she’d come home completely drained and would break down over the tiniest things. It was so unlike her, and Matt and I were really struggling to understand what was going on with our sweet girl. Then, another mom introduced me to the concept of “after-school restraint collapse,” and it all started to make sense.

You know how when your kids go to daycare or a playdate, and the teacher or other parents rave about how great they are? It’s because they’re holding it together all day, trying to be on their best behavior, meet expectations, and manage challenges. By the time they get home, they’re emotionally spent and finally feel safe enough to let down their guard. That’s when the emotional floodgates open.

For some kids, this means becoming weepy, throwing tantrums, or acting out towards siblings. Through my research, I found that this “collapse” is even more intense for sensitive children like Caroline. The good news is that it’s temporary and usually subsides as they adjust to their new routine.

So, how do you survive those tough first few months? The best advice I found is to help your child decompress in a way that works for them, make space for their emotions, and validate what they’re feeling.

For Caroline, decompressing meant family bike rides after school during the warmer months. When it got colder, she found comfort in a long bath with “special bubbles” and watching a show on my iPad. Whenever she would break down, we’d give her a big hug and say, “We got you, baby girl. You had a long day. It’s OK to let it all out and relax.”

After a few weeks, the emotional meltdowns became less frequent.

I hope this helps any of you mamas with kids transitioning to a new grade, school, or routine. You’re not alone, and with a little patience, things will get easier.

Lunch Box Ideas

I recently shared my go-to lunches for school. These are the meals we rotate most weeks as they are my kids favorite lunches and they are easy to throw together. My round-up includes a grocery list for lunch boxes filled with breakfast, sushi, charcuterie, sandwich kabobs, and DIY pizza!

Teacher Support

A few teacher-related things!

• Teacher Wish Lists: If you’re feeling generous and would like to support a Title 1 or first-year teacher, we’ve got hundreds of submissions on this Teacher Wish List post! I know the needs these teachers are facing can be overwhelming and heartbreaking with items ranging from basic needs like underwear and laundry detergent to snacks, school supplies, holiday party items and so much more. No donation is too small and I know they are super grateful for any support!
• Teacher Favorite Things: If you want to personalize your treats for your teachers throughout the school year, I would check with the room parent(s) to see if they have asked your teacher to complete a favorite things survey. If not, I created this Favorite Things Survey (back when I served as a Room Mom) that you can send in with kid(s) at the beginning of each school year for their teachers to complete and return to you. To download it, right-click and hit save image as.

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