My Favorite "Back to School" Tip

Hi Friends ~

Thank you for your prayers regarding the "serial arsonist" in my neighborhood (recap here). I will keep you posted when he/she is caught. In the mean time, please pray for protection and peace for our neighborhood. As you can imagine, nights are sleepless for many families. Thankfully my kids are not "overly anxious", but others have shared the fears and tears their children are experiencing. Oh, may this all end today ~ in Jesus' Powerful Name!!

I've decided to post on a much lighter, joyful subject today. (Light and fun is needed). Here's my all-time favorite, back to school tip. It sure Works for Us! Enjoy!

OK, true confession time...I used to dread afternoons. Especially from about 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. The big kids would come home from school hungry, the little kids were whiny and irritable, and no one wanted to talk about school. Afternoons were no fun around our house. :(

Then last school year, I decided to try something different. I called it "Tea Time". You should know, we don't drink tea. (I couldn't think of anything else "catchy" to call it). I resolved to make "Tea Time" one of the highlights of our day!

I purchased a colorful tray and little appetizer plates from Target. I stocked our refrigerator with yummy, (semi) healthy snacks and fun drinks. I shared the vision of Tea Time with the kids, and announced that every single day after school, we would have "Tea Time" immediately when the kids got off the bus.

And you know what?? It worked!! My kids walk in the door and say, "What's for Tea Time, Mom?". If their friends are over, they join us (and comment, "I wish we did this at our house"). We share snacks and highlights from school and lots of laughter. I learn about what happened at recess, on the bus, in class. I treasure this time with my kids!

Most importantly, my attitude has changed. I look forward with eager anticipation to 4:00 PM. I delight in thinking what fun snacks I can prepare for my kids. I don't answer the phone during this time. Tea Time is a special, sacred part of my day!

Now I do recognize, it won't last forever. My high schooler Jake has football practice after school, so he doesn't make it for Tea Time very often. But for my 'little ones' (Benj is 9, Amanda is 7, and Sarah is 6) ~ we are building priceless memories!

And hopefully when they think of 'Tea Time', they'll think of a home filled with love, warmth, beauty, and belonging.

A mom can hope anyway...

Here's 3/4 of my Tea Time Gang! :) Don't they just look like fun?!! :)

And my handsome football player....

Tea Time has really Worked For Me!

What about for you?? What has helped your family life run more smoothly?? What favorite "Back to School" ideas have you tried?? I'd love to hear from you!!

And for more great "Works for Me Wednesday" ideas, head over to We Are That Family. You'll be glad you did!

Have a Wonderful Week!! Many blessings to you!!

P.S. The winner of my Lysa TerKeurst Giveaway is Lisa Shaw. (If you are interested in meeting an amazing, joy-filled, encouraging, prayer warrior check out Lisa's ministry.)

Thank you to all who entered! I have more amazing giveaways coming up soon!