Good morning.
School is coming. Schedules are changing. The laundry is multiplying.
And suddenly we’re expected to remember which child needs which supplies, shoes, forms, activities, and approximately 900 other things.
But before we jump headfirst into the chaos, let’s take a breath.
And make the transition a little easier.
With simple ways to create a calmer home, a small challenge that makes a surprisingly big difference, and a poem that always stops me in my tracks.
You don’t need to get everything perfect before school starts.
You just need to make the next few mornings a little easier.
Perfect for the first week when everyone is adjusting, and you need something low-pressure and genuinely fun.
These mess-free whiteboard games deliver exactly that →
TABLE WISDOM
“Outer order contributes to inner calm.” — Gretchen Rubin
Cheap, Quick, and Tasty Breakfasts You’ll Actually Look Forward To
The 900 things you’re managing this week don’t have to include breakfast planning. These take that one off the list →
Yesterday was Day 1. Today is the living room.
Here’s what actually makes a difference before school starts →
STORIES FROM THE TABLE
As my kids return to school this week, I find myself coming back to this poem. It perfectly captures how quickly kids grow. I hope you find it as helpful as I do.❤️
“You will never have this day with your child again.
Tomorrow they’ll be a little older than they were today.
This day is a gift.
Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them.
Study their faces.
Pay attention.
Relish the charms of the present.
Enjoy today.
It will be over before you know it.” – Jen Hatmaker
CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK
Declutter for the school year. (Or the fall season)
The poem says pay attention. Outer order makes that easier.
Pick one space each day this week and clear it. The living room is a good place to start →
AFFIRMATION OF THE WEEK
Creating space creates calm.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You will never have this day with your child again.
What is one small change you could make right now that your future self (and your future relationship with them) will thank you for?
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON
What was the first video shown on August 1, 1981 on MTV?
Find the answer at the bottom of the email.
TABLE TALK
I asked my teenager how much gas her car had, and she said, “72 miles.”
I guess phrases like, “a quarter of a tank” are going extinct.
MORE FROM THE TABLE
Kids allergic to doing chores?
Family a little messed up after a summer of no routine? 🤪
Tired of telling your family to do something 5 times before they do it?
If even one of these hit home, The Kids Routine Reset is 60+ pages of checklists, templates, ideas, and coupons that organize and motivate even the most chaotic households.
In fact, if you don’t notice a change in 5 days, we’ll give you your money back.
But don’t just take my word for it. 700 readers have already quit the nagging:
★★★★★”I love how it is set out. The routine pack is great. Putting it into effect for my grandson and myself is going to be great. I love how you did the layout of it all. Thank you for doing that for all of us to have part of.” – Charlene
★★★★★”These products are helping me get my life back in order! After a move, sickness, and an overall crazy summer, my kids and I are using these checklists to develop a better routine before school starts, and I am so grateful I found these! They’re so easy to use for all three of my kids, and the reward chart has been a game changer in our house!” – Kristina M.
August Trivia answer: “Video Killed the Radio Star”
Don’t forget the poem. Study their faces. Pay attention. We won’t have this exact day again.
Thank you for sitting with us. I hope you enjoyed today’s edition. If you have anything at all you’d like to share, ask, or say, just hit reply. I’d love to hear from you.
I appreciate you!
See you tomorrow at the table,
Jenn Kropf
Founder of Healthy Happy Impactful
