10 things mums love about going back to school

School holidays are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s nice to get a break from the school run, on the other hand, six weeks break is perhaps a little excessive. Which is why, come the end of January, mums are happy to get back into the swing of things again. Here are 10 things mums love about going back to school

1. Finding something for the lunchbox that isn’t a boomerang

New year means a new approach to lunch boxes. And if you’re lucky, you might find something that doesn’t come faithfully back to you at the end of the day. A balanced lunchbox doesn’t have to be boring and can be as simple as a piece of fruit, a sandwich with ham or cheese, a serve of vegetable , a treat like a LCM Oaty Bubble Bar and water.

2. Knowing your kids brains are being filled with useful stuff all day

As opposed to filled with social media guff, weird computer games and episodes of The Simpsons.

3. Having an irrefutable reason to insist that kids get out of their pyjamas in the morning

My kids argue that since they are not going anywhere for the day, they don’t need to change out of their pyjamas. And MY argument of “But that’s what civilised people do!” is just not cutting it after six weeks of holidays. It’s hard to articulate the slippery slope to reclusive hoarder that is not getting out of your pyjamas in the morning.

4. Having an irrefutable reason for insisting your children wash regularly

As above. As in: all of the above.

5. Quality dinnertime conversation: Hearing about new friends and adventures they had AWAY from you

While I love spending time with my kids, there is such a thing as too much time together.  And during the holidays, there’s simply nothing to say over dinner because we were all there.

“Hey what about when I cut up some watermelon for morning tea. How fun was that?”

Isn’t nearly as good as:

“Today Mr Michaels had to tape off the boy’s toilet block because there was a drunk ibis in there.”

Do. Go. ON!

6. Not having to invent activities for the day

I have three school holiday moves: movies, beach and local food court for hot chips and a milk shake. Then I’m done. I’m out. I was out of ideas by December 24. Thank you, teachers, over to you.

7. New year, new dawn, new day ... a new household charter

Now that it’s a new year, you can start laying down the law about homework, chores and clean bedrooms with the caveat that it’s a new year and "we’ll be doing things differently this time."

Eg. THIS year it is hereby decreed that every individual will make their bed each morning. (Good luck with that, by the way).

8. After-school sports and activities to tire them out

By the end of the year, you’re just grateful to not have to be anywhere, but you quickly realise that all that "having to be somewhere" stuff is the stuff that really tuckers your kids out and makes them tired enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Which brings me to …

9. Return of reasonable bedtimes

No matter how disciplined you are, school holidays become a bit of a free-for-all where bedtime is concerned. Because, let’s face it, sometimes putting kids to bed on time is just the mountain you must climb to get to the glorious peak that is post-bedtime kid-free time. As a result, during school holidays some of us choose to avoid the climb and in so doing, we sacrifice the glorious peak.

I look forward to seeing that glorious peak again.

10. Routine. Routine. Routine.

There’s nothing like routine to kick-start everybody's better selves. While lazing around on the couch during the holidays was no-doubt fun for everyone, you’ll notice immediately a brightness in everyone's eyes once they return to their school routine. Friends, handball in the playground and knowing what’s going to happen every day all bring out the best in kids and parents alike.

This article has been written by Kidspot - http://www.kidspot.com.au/school/school-holidays/planning-school-holidays/10-things-mums-love-about-going-back-to-school