From the Editor

Sometimes I feel like the world's busiest mom. I have one job that I love and two side jobs (including being editor of this magazine) that I love. And I always seem to be working on a side project or two. I have learned that getting organized when it comes to going back to school is essential in our home. Here are three hacks that I really use and have helped us a lot:

HOMEWORK CART

This started during virtual learning, but has stuck around for good. This cart was an Amazon find and was easy to assemble. We load this down with all the supplies our kids may need to complete their homework. This is also where they keep their Chromebooks, chargers, and ear buds. This can be wheeled around our dining room table and shared between my two school aged kiddos.

MEMORY ORGANIZER

I have one of these accordion organizers for each kid for each grade. (For my kids, preschool and kindergarten years got their own organizer. I was able to combine higher grades into one since they did fewer craft projects.) I bought these in bulk when the kids were younger so they all match. This gives me a spot to put all the precious memories as soon as they leave the backpack... and the others? Discreetly discarded when the kids aren't looking. Shhh!

ON THE GO BASKETS

In our mudroom, we have hooks for each kid's backpack (and Mason's diaper bag) along with a bench that stores three baskets for their often forgotten, but really necessary items. This is Avery's, which is stocked with things she needs to care for her braces, hair accessories, her planner and more. Now, it doesn't usually look this organized, but you get the point!

This new school year hits a little differently than the rest. My oldest, Avery, who was born just a month after we started Owensboro Parent back in 2011, starts middle school.

She will be in the first sixth grade class at the new Daviess County Middle School. And while she is extremely nervous about this transition, I have assured her she has the best possible start to sixth grade because everyone will be new to DCMS this year.

Despite this sage advice from her extremely wise mom, she is still very nervous. But she doesn’t see the girl that I see. The one who is smart beyond her years, kind to everyone she meets, brave even in life’s most difficult moments. The one who conquered the two-mile run at tryouts and made the DCMS soccer team. The girl who says she’s terrible at math but tested into the advanced class.

Then I got to thinking… What if I had to change my workplace once a year? Every fall, I had a new boss, new coworkers, new demands, unfamiliar expectations, and maybe a different office. I don’t know how I would handle that stress. But this is basically what our children do every school year. I can easily see how this would challenge a child’s confidence.

I talked with some other parents who are a lot wiser than me to get their advice on how to help children feel more confident going into the school year. It all boiled down to three main points:

1. Establish a routine. Help your child get organized, find structure and set themselves up best for success. 2. Recognize effort, not outcome. Whether it’s academic, athletic or extracurricular, reward your child for trying something new and the effort put in, not the end result. 3. Be a role model. Avoid negative self-talk. You can’t promote confidence in your child if you don’t think highly of yourself. I hope this new school year brings your kids new adventures, success and most of all, confidence – with a little guiding help from you! Have a great school year, Owensboro!