I am finally getting the hang of this back-to-school thing, and this year I am really trying to stay on top it when it comes to my son’s school. It was easy to let things slide in pre-school and kindergarten, but now he is learning some important skills, and I have to be on it!
So here are 10 promises to my sweet first grader:
- I will pay more attention to your school calendar. I know mommy was not very good at this for kindergarten. This year, you won’t go to school in your pajamas only to discover that pajama day was moved to next week. (I went right home and I got his uniform, he was only wearing them for 20 minutes… tops) I will save events right into my phone, and even set a reminder for myself.
- I will go over your homework each night. I know you do your homework on your own while I am at work, which makes me so proud. Last year, I just scanned over it after everyone went to bed. But this year I will spend 5 minutes with you after dinner to go over it. I will make sure it is correct and have you explain how you did it. This way, I will be more familiar with what you are studying and you will get extra practice explaining things to me.
- I will plan your lunches ahead.
I will buy healthy fruits and veggies and cut them up the night before
so you have more in your lunch than just a PB&J sandwich and some
stale goldfish crackers. (which are still quite tasty… by the
way) - I will leave you healthy snacks. I know I am not there when you get home, so I am going to start leaving a list of healthy snacks you can have. No more ruining your dinner filling up on junk!
- I will make sure your uniform is clean. You will not be late because you are waiting for your uniform shirt to dry in the dryer. I went collared shirt crazy at the $5 back to school sale at Old Navy, so you will ALWAYS have a clean uniform ready to go in the morning. (this should be easy… but for some reason last year I kept running out of clean uniforms… shirts disappeared left & right)
- I will not give into pressure to do your school projects. I believe kids should do their own work, but after seeing some other projects last year, I have to admit, it was hard not to jump in and ‘jazz’ up some of your stuff. I cringed when you walked into school wearing your crazy, paper bag Indian vest and hat for the Thanksgiving show. The other kids had such detailed, fancy outfits, it looked like they were in a Broadway version of ‘The First Thanksgiving.” But you loved it. Because you made it all by yourself. (I really wish I had a picture… it was BAD) Later in the year, you made a REALLY amazing robot, modeled after your favorite Skylander. (I only did the hot glue parts) When you brought it to school, you were SO proud, especially when your teacher and fellow students told you how impressed they were. And you felt great telling everyone you made it all by yourself… because you really did.
How awesome is this Skylander robot?? 
This was last week’s project, we even turned it in EARLY! (and Hudson was just thrilled about it, can’t you tell?) - I will collect box tops for your class. I know I have them on certain items, but I always toss them out. After hearing about the party for the kindergarten class who collected the most box tops, I promise I will save them this year.
- I will volunteer at a school event. I know how excited you get when you see me at your school, so I promise to take part in at least one school event. I’m thinking book fair may be a good one, since it starts first thing in the morning. I can volunteer a few hours before heading to work.
- I will meet you for lunch at least once. I talked about this in my post about getting involved in your kids school. I remember how much you loved it last year, so I promise I will find the time to do it again, at least a few times.
- I will read with you every night. I know sometimes I am tired and stressed and would rather just let you watch a show for a bit before bed, so I can get the dishes done or do some laundry. But I know how important it is to start good reading habits while young, so I have decided to make this a priority. No more skipping bedtime books.
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Hudson, I know I’m not perfect, and I may get off track sometimes, but I am really going to try my best to keep these promises, since you are my most special boy… and your education is so important to me.
What are some goals you have this year, when it comes to your kids school year?
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You are one ambitious momma! You go girl! (But be gentle with yourself if you don't meet all of the goals perfectly! ) 🙂
So far so good, but we are only on week 3! haha!
Such an awesome post. Hudson is a lucky boy. 🙂
Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to comment! 🙂
He's a lucky boy! I am bad at the reading at night thing now…soooo tired! Good luck!
That is the one thing I really enjoy doing with him… It is our special time together at night!
Great list! I need to work on the Box Top issue as well. (Good luck on not helping with homework. Many times I sit on my hands, trying not to give into temptation to do just 'one little thing'.)
Yes so far I have collected a whopping 2 box tops! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Aweee–This is so sweet!!!!
Thank you Constance! 😉
Love this idea. I feel like I make promises in my head and try to follow through with them, but this is a much better way to hold myself accountable. My kids aren't in school yet, but along the lines of education, some of my promises would include doing my sensory activities with my toddler and continuing to teach her more and more ASL.
I think writing it all down helps me to remember exactly what my goals are with him as far as his school… I kind of went with the flow last year… and it didnt work out that great!
You almost made me shed a tear. So touching!!
Awww thanks Talitha!! 🙂
This is so nice. I'm glad to see reading every night on there! As a former kindergarten teacher, I always stressed the importance of reading to your child every night. I'd rather see parents do that than complete an amazing project for their child.
That is good to hear!! I love reading, so it is my favorite thing to do with him, esp now since he is getting better at reading himself, so now he picks a book for him to read and one or two for me!
Those are great goals! I am so impressed with the way that you are practicing intentional parenting.
I love the way you word things! And I am glad to hear I am a intentional parent… it sounds like a good thing! 😉
Great List! I especially need the "read calendar" thing… that newsletter with important info somehow always ends up in a pile 🙂
Yes, that is the one thing I kept screwing up last year… I never kept the dates straight for school activities!
What a great list (and I love lists)! I am in a similar stage with my little one. Thanks for the reminders of what is really important.
I love lists, too! I have always been a 'to-do' list type of gal… 😉
NEVER make promise to children. you are a better person than me.
hahaha! you crack me up!
Great list! This reminds me that I have a handful of box tops I need to turn in.
Or you can give them to me, since I only have 2 so far! haha! 🙂
I love this! I am a box top addict, I cut them off the minute I bring the groceries in the house. I'm a bit OCD and I try to put things on auto pilot as much as possible. I didn't understand the power of reading to my son until he tested above reading level. Its hard to find the balance between being a mom, having a job, and being involved as much as possible. #rattleandroll
That is a good idea to cut them off as soon as you get home! I always forget about the box tops when I am out of something and just toss it away. Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! 🙂
So much pressure on parents these days! I say good for you for letting Hudson do his projects by himself–that's what they're supposed to do! 🙂 Based on this list, I'd say your a darn good mama, even if you don't end up doing a single thing you promised.
When it comes to projects, it is hard not to feel the pressure to 'help out' after seeing what other kids turn it! Ha! I have been doing pretty good so far.. my Box Top skills still need work. 😉
I'm right there with ya! My son started first grade last month and so far so good, although I dont' really have the daily snacks and box tops down. Sometimes I forget, but thank goodness his school provides healthy snacks, even if he doesn't like what they serve. I need someone to invent a box top reminder tool thingy…or something 😀
Yes packing lunch and snacks is exhausting… since I want to switch things up, but still make sure to give him things that he likes. I hope your son is enjoying his school year so far 🙂
I'm trying to do the same, but at least my kid can wear regular clothes…so whatever is clean is good to go! Thanks for visiting the Mommy Needs a Timeout linking last week. We're doing it again on Wed. at 8pm Eastern–we'd love it if you drop by again! Find us at BeerandGluesticks.com
Thanks for stopping by! 😉
I feel like you took these goals straight out of my head! Good luck to us both. : P
Yes, I do best when I write things down… so far I've been keeping most of them 😉