This week my kids are going back to school.  It’s a bittersweet moment for me.

My kids are growing up way too fast and I want them to stay my little babies forever.  This is Foster’s last year at preschool and he’ll be riding the big yellow school bus in just one year.  Sniff sniff.  Over the past few months Parker has transformed from a babbling toddler into a little girl.  She’s speaking in full sentences (and mostly bossing the rest of us around).  🙂  I’ve soaked up the hours and days I’ve been able to spend with them at home all summer.

But, if I’m completely honest with you, I’m ready to have some “me” time.  I’m ready to recover from the summer.  Although I can recall a few moments when my house was clean, they were few and far between.  I can quote Daniel Tiger and Dinotrux but am a little clueless about what other adults are watching these days.  Despite having a gift card to my favorite nail salon, my nails are horrendous because I haven’t had the time to go.  The list goes on …

Does any of this ring true to you as well?  It’s okay … I won’t tell anyone.  Instead, I’m going to give you and other moms a few tips for how to recover from the summer.  Whether you stay at home, work in the home, or work outside of the home, I have a feeling that you might NEED to treat yourself to at least one of these tips.   Am I implying that moms should do this all the time?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  We don’t have time for that!  Ha!  I am suggesting that you take a few hours or days and treat yourself for surviving the chaos of the summer.  Treat yourself just a smudge, okay?

A Mom’s Guide for How To Recover from the Summer

Tip 1.  Workout!  

Remember when you had an hour to yourself and you could go to the gym and exercise?  Wasn’t that amazing?  Well, it’s time to do that again.  Try something new.  If you live in the Four Points area of Austin, you should check out the new Four Points Fitness Spots resource here at FourPointsMom.com.

There are so many options for you, and you can try out many at no or little cost.  I know I’m ready to get back in they gym on a consistent basis.  I plan on trying out a few of the local fitness spots and reporting on them here.  Stay tuned!  If you’re not local, do the research and you’ll surely find a ton of local fitness opportunities near you.  Many have child care available too in case you have an itty bitty not heading back to school.  Ask around – you won’t regret spending time or money on yourself.

Tip 2.  Binge Watch Netflix

Okay, so this tip isn’t about making you more healthy like the first tip.  But I believe it will contribute to your mental health.  Watch something that you want to watch!  Imagine the glee you will feel if you are able to click on your profile when starting up Netflix?  You know, the one that isn’t full of kids shows.  Now browse around and find a show or movie you’ve heard about but haven’t gotten to watch yet.  I’ve watched a few episodes of Glow and I really like it.

The 80s music, 80s clothes, and originality of the series makes it one not to miss.  And the characters are amazing!   Or, check out what The Hollywood Reporter has to say about the upcoming September Netflix New Releases.

It doesn’t matter what you watch.  Just get comfy and veg out in your quiet home, and watch something your kids can’t.  😉

Tip 3.  Read a Book

It’s almost September so I’m already fantasizing about fall weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and curling up with a book next to the fireplace.  Okay, I know.  I live in Texas.  That ain’t happening any time soon!  Maybe November?  But, you can treat yourself to a good book.  Last week I shared with you a few of my favorite books from the summer in my August Book Review post.

Try one of these (I highly recommend Small Great Things and It Ends With Us) or browse through Goodreads and find a book that’s right up your alley.  Curl up with your book (or kindle) and enjoy!

Tip 4.   Find Some Easy Family-Friendly Crockpot Recipes 

This probably seems to be a bit out of left field, but trust me.  Having a thorough list of crockpot recipes in your back pocket will come in handy as the school year gets to full swing.  Your afternoons will be booked with practices and activities.  You’ll start relying on your go-to meals and wish you had a few easy new ones to throw into the mix.  My Pinterest board might get you started.  Follow me on Pinterest to easily get fresh, new ideas.

And, of course, grocery-delivery or curbside pickup services might help you out down the road too.  As I explained in my grocery service series, I chose Shipt as my favorite and use it myself.  My fridge was stocked by a Shipt delivery yesterday afternoon actually!  Yay for avoiding the crazy rains.

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