More of What Matters: My “Mom” Back-To-School Supply List

Fall is a good time to reclaim some priorities and get back to more of what matters most.

“Back to School” gets a little crazier for us each year. This year we’ll have one homeschooling, two in the local middle school, and one at the high school.

The oldest gets his license in 5 months and 11 days…but who’s counting? OK, maybe I am. Because four kids-worth of school drop-offs and pick-ups, rehearsals, doctor appointments, dental appointments, orthodontist appointments, and church activities have transformed me from a “Stay-Home-Mom” to a “Rarely-At-Home-Except-When-Regrouping-Mom”.

Even the license will be bittersweet because I’ll probably never see that kid again.

Most of our time together is currently spent in the car.

But I digress. We’re all familiar with the infamous back-to-school supply lists.  I decided to create my own “MOM’s Back To School” supply list this year. Maybe you can relate:

1. Glue Sticks – These represent more of the things that help our family stick together rather than pull us apart. Slowing down is a big one – I’m looking forward to some weekends where there is absolutely nothing on the calendar (my oldest plays football, so it could be another month and a half for that dream to come true), but seriously, filling every minute of every day is not good for our kids OR their parents. Times for family fun and reflection are important, as well as date nights for Art and I (something we’ve NEVER been consistent about but know is key to our marriage).
2. Rubber bands –These symbolize flexibility. This will be a NECESSITY for all 6 of us to function maximally. Even as I update this post, I have an adult college graduate living back at home this year as he completes an internship, a high school graduate living at home while he works and takes classes at the community college, a senior in high school who is “Mr. Social”, and a boarding school daughter who is home on the weekends. (Did I mention the dog who thinks he’s a person too?)

   Flexibility is a must. It’s a character trait Art and I need to work on and be intentional about helping our kids live out. Nothing is certain – even the best-made plans – with this crew. There has to be give and take. We are all learning a new dance with our adult children – and as author Jim Burns suggests – none of us know the moves. So we are trying to be flexible there also as we navigate this new norm while occasionally stepping on each other’s toes.

3. Clorox Wipes –There’s no metaphor for this one, folks. My house could be a little cleaner (the biggest understatement of the year). Comedian Leanne Morgan coined one of my favorite quotes of all time when asked about her housecleaning practices. She replied, “I’m fun. Fun people don’t clean.”   It’s probably why, when asked to clean in the past, my kids responded with, “Who’s coming over?”  I’m trying to utilize all these folks coming in and out of the house I mentioned earlier. I should probably buy Clorox wipes and have them in every room in the house, wiping as I walk through. However, since that’s not likely to happen, let’s move on to #4.
4. Scissors –Indispensable for cutting out things and activities we don’t need.   My sister-in-law, Katie, gave me some great advice once: You can’t always make choices that are best for each family member. You must look at the bigger picture and decide which activities are best for the whole family. (We’re leaving in place the activities that are best for mom, however – ultimately, that’s best for the family). 
5. Dry Erase Markers –These are essential for do-overs and start-overs. GRACE. For myself, my husband, my kids, my friends, and even my enemies. A great phrase to daily recite is, “Today’s a new day, I can begin again.” If God himself gives us that daily opportunity – to receive the new mercies every morning he mentions in Lamentations 3, we could probably stand to follow his lead and give more grace to ourselves and others.
6. Erasers and White Out – Along with grace will be forgiveness. No sin will be unforgivable, and no past unredeemable. This will take some faith in some of the situations we’re in right now. But it’s imperative for growth, healing, and hope. Our God is a God of restoration. I want to model that in my relationships.
7. Pencils and Paper – These supplies are necessary for recording things that matter. I want to make sure that what I’m spending my time, resources, gifts, and energy on are God-given priorities that will matter in eternity. I’m in a season of life – I talk about this on the podcast in episode #6 – where I know what God has called me to do, so saying “no” to things that aren’t part of that call is getting easier. Well, a little easier. I still fall prey to the need for affirmation that saying “yes” to some folks gives me. Baby steps…
8. Kindergarten nap mat – I may be 51, but I still need rest. I’m trying to make sure I actually get a sabbath and don’t work my way through an entire week and weekend.
9. Permission Slips – Permission to set aside agendas, schedules (and cleaning! Yay!) to just ENJOY my family. I did this a lot this summer, and it was amazing to have spontaneous moments with my husband and kids because I laid the agenda aside to live in the moment. Permission to sit in some tough emotions so I can deal with them instead of bury them so they come streaming out next time I get triggered.

10. Binder –This item holds everything together. I’m talking about a Trapper Keeper straight out of the 1980’s. I don’t even know if they still sell them, but Trapper Keepers were like the physical versions of iPhones. They let you keep track of everything you need via pouches, pockets, folders, and rings, and they closed up neatly with a handy Velcro tab. My time with Jesus in His Word does this for me (minus the Velcro tab). Though often it’s the thing that gets pushed aside for later, it must be first and foremost in my mind, heart, and schedule. Because only through His strength, wisdom, and power can anything else on this list be possible. Without remaining in Him, I can’t experience true rest, grace, forgiveness, self-discipline, or wisdom. John 15:5 makes it clear that when I remain in Him, I will bear much fruit, but without Him, I can do NOTHING. Not less, but absolutely nothing.

I hope this list gives you ideas of some back-to-school priorities you might want to make for yourself or your family. Why wait until New Year’s to audit our habits to know if they’re lining up with our priorities? Let’s get a head start on them this fall! And maybe, just maybe, I’ll even clean something this week…