While every September heralds a new dawn for our kids, it also signals a change in our thought process too.
We frequently decide to use the new school year as a platform to effect certain changes and establish a new, more efficient, routine.
Like the clocks chiming at midnight on December 31st, the school bell on the first day of term reminds us that it's time to learn from last year's mistakes, put our resolutions to the test and commit to our proposals.
However, if you're anything like us, you'll soon find your best laid plans aren't panning out quite as you hoped.
Here are just ten back to school resolutions we never end up committing to.
1. The Friday afternoon routine
Expectation: We tell ourselves that Friday afternoon will be spent laundering school uniforms and washing out lunch boxes.
Reality: Cut to Monday morning when you're attempting to peel an abandoned mouldy sandwich from the bottom of your child's schoolbag.
We frequently decide to use the new school year as a platform to effect certain changes and establish a new, more efficient, routine.
Like the clocks chiming at midnight on December 31st, the school bell on the first day of term reminds us that it's time to learn from last year's mistakes, put our resolutions to the test and commit to our proposals.
However, if you're anything like us, you'll soon find your best laid plans aren't panning out quite as you hoped.
Here are just ten back to school resolutions we never end up committing to.
1. The Friday afternoon routine
Expectation: We tell ourselves that Friday afternoon will be spent laundering school uniforms and washing out lunch boxes.
Reality: Cut to Monday morning when you're attempting to peel an abandoned mouldy sandwich from the bottom of your child's schoolbag.
2. The First Day of Term
Expectation: Your child will come home with all of that shiny new school gear they left the house with in the morning.
Reality: Cries of "I can't find my lunch box, I think I lost it" ring out every, single, morning.
3. The play-date etiquette
Expectation: You will make note of every play-date your child is invited on and ensure you return the favour within the month.
Reality: It's November and your child has been on five play dates and you have yet to make one plan in that regard.
Expectation: You will make note of every play-date your child is invited on and ensure you return the favour within the month.
Reality: It's November and your child has been on five play dates and you have yet to make one plan in that regard.
4. The school bake sale
Expectation: This will be the year you stun the other mums with some homemade delights - recipes which you will happily supply to any eager fellow baker.
Reality: It's the night before the sale and you're frantically concealing cake wrappers in the recycling bin as you try to pass off store-bought as your own.
5. The parent / teacher meeting
Expectation: You will take constructive criticism from your child's teacher in the way that it's intended.
Reality: You know they're just doing their job, but how can they not see that you've raised the perfect child?
6. The homework routine
Expectation: Designated homework stations, endless stationary supplies and a calm environment will be yours with just a little preparation.
Reality: One pencil between three children the night before a group project is due has happened again. How?!
7. The Christmas Play
Expectation: You will not cry.
Reality: You will cry. Even more than last year.
8. Sports Day
Expectation: You will support your child through any disappointment and you will teach them good sportsmanship.
Reality: You will agree that the egg-and-spoon race was fixed and promise you'll get to the bottom of it.
9. Breakfast plans
Expectation: You will spend a full thirty minutes chatting with your gang over a healthy breakfast as you prepare for the day ahead.
Reality: You will spend precisely three minutes cramming toast in your mouth as you attempt to find school ties, sign school journals and get out the door in one piece.
10. At-home projects
Expectation: You will hear about the assignment in plenty of time to fully commit and provide support to your child.
Reality: You will hear about the project the day before and spend most of the evening lamenting your child's poor memory and lack of organisational skills.
11. End of term
Expectation: Your back-to-school resolutions will have gone off without a hitch and you'll be the proudest mum in the school yard.
Reality: Your back-to-school resolutions will have failed spectacularly but you're still the proudest mum in the school yard.
