Back to School batch baking

I’ve curated some of the best back to school batch baking recipes to help us Mummas get organised for the term ahead.

The school caper

Princess has nearly survived her first term at school, having Wednesday’s off for the first term, she will be there full time after the holidays. She amazes me everyday, the things she learns and the excitement she shows when telling us about her day. She is loving Numeracy, and gets so excited when she gets a new level reader and word list. She works hard at school and at home, and it is a joy to see her developing and growing everyday. She also brings home names of new friends, and clapping games, oh the clapping games, they make me smile!

But with school comes great tiredness. And I’ll tell you all out there, these last couple of weeks at no.2 have been tough and challenging. Princess is exhausted, most of the time she will completely disagree with that statement, but lately, she will fess up….. putting herself to bed much earlier than she usually heads off, and falling asleep in the car on even the shortest of trips.

And with this great tiredness comes attitude, arguments and tantrums, which our girl has not really dabbled in in the past. Her moods swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. It has meant punishments, disappointment, tears and sheer and utter shock on our part that our girl could act this way. Firm boundaries and a strict routine have been tightened further and has meant bad behavior has mostly been headed off. But there are days, days when she yells and screams like some wild animal who has been caged up. It’s usually followed by her falling in a heap sobbing, with sleep usually following quickly.

As a teacher, I know what the end of the term brings, so I have been somewhat prepared. But now the count down is on until my girl can recharge her batteries, and in turn find her groove again. I’m looking forward to being able to spend some great quality time with her, and also making sure some of her days are slow and relaxing. And I’m looking forward to our sweet girl returning to us, she has been anything but sweet lately.

So to all you Mumma’s out there, especially ones with Prep children, I know what you are going through! It’s complete normal! Just remember that it’s been a big start to the year and they are just so tired. I wish you all a wonderful break with your little ones.

Bel x

Asking the right questions

I am now the mother of a school girl, yep, a school girl! I still can’t quite believe it, not sure exactly where the time has gone, but last week we walked her through the school gates for her very first day of Primary School. Tears were shed (ours not hers) as she went off and started her day. She had a wonderful time, made a couple of new friends, visited the Art room and even had PMP too. So many things to tell me when I picked her up, because I knew what questions to ask.

So many times I walk through the school yard and hear Mums, Dads and Grandparents ask “So what did you do at school today” only to get the response “nothing”. And we know they didn’t just stare at a wall all day, but really, the question it is quite a big one. If you really want to know how their day was, break the question down into smaller ones. Here are some of the questions I ask Princess when I pick her up, and I almost always get a detailed response from her.

What was the best thing you did today?

What story did you read today? I haven’t heard that one before, what’s it about?

Tell me one new thing you learnt today? (this one can sometimes be quite funny with the little ones, it might be something to do with the canteen, wow Mum did you know they sell icey poles!)

Did you make any new friends?

Where did you play at playtime and lunch?

Did you do any counting today?

Did you have Art/music/Library/PMP etc? What did you do there today?

You will find a simple questions like the ones above can give you a lot of insight into their day. For instance today I know that Princess was counting by twos in class, and that she read a book about mistakes. She played with a girl who she didn’t know from Kinder in the sandpit and that girl has a caravan down the beach like we do. She also had Prep games and the best part of her day was the egg and spoon race that she played.

Do you have any other questions you like to ask your kids when they finish school each night?

Bel x