Back-to-school shopping usually suggests that it’s all about the kids. Pencils, notebooks, new shoes, new outfits, new backpack, and maybe a new lunch box.
But as a homeschool mom, I’m finding that—at least so far—back-to-school shopping is mostly, actually just as much for me. Because when school starts, I’m not just sending the kids off to be taught by someone else. I’m going back to school too.
I’m getting myself ready to be a bit more structured. To wake up earlier, to plan lessons, to get my workouts in before everyone wakes up, to keep up with the laundry, the meals, the work, the adventures—and, somewhere in there, actually have the energy to teach with patience, grace and a sense of humor.
So this year, my “back-to-school” shopping looked a little different. And honestly, it included more things for me than it did for them.
We officially started our “warm-up week” of homeschool last Monday and well, there was some groaning. Which I totally expected. After all they are on a different “school” schedule than all of their friends.
Our summer this year was full of little two-three week breaks. During those breaks, we took off completely from traditional learning. If they picked up a book and asked us to read it, of course we did and we kept up with our nightly family reading time, but there was no lesson plans, no formal school books and no scheduled learning time whats so ever. We all needed to rest our brains and run free for a bit. Ja and I especially needed a break from being teachers, planners and organizers.
But here’s the thing…
When I told the boys, “You know, we’ve been doing school all summer… you just didn’t realize it,” something shifted. So we started looking back. We looked through photos and talked about everything we had done and learned. We remembered stopping to read every sign.
We remembered our van trip, when we purposefully stopped and stayed at Fort Stevens State Park and learned about the history of the fort, World War II and the Japanese submarine attack on the Oregon coast.
We remembered the animals we saw, the places we explored, the questions we asked, the problems we figured out and all the things we learned simply by being out in the world.
And there was a little aha moment. Because homeschooling has become less about checking every box for us and more about finding a rhythm. It’s about finding those times when it’s time to rest and let it all sink in and when it’s time to push, grow, stretch and get a little frustrated.
I have become fond of thinking of it like I do the seasons. During each season, there are different things I do and different ways I feel. In homeschool I have observed that there are seasons for focused learning, seasons for routine and structure. And there are seasons for longer breaks—where we intentionally step away from the books and let everyone’s brains breathe. Each season however does not run in nice and neat 3-4 month increments. Instead, it’s constantly shifting, ebbing and flowing – demanding that we stay observant, curious and open, which I am totally here for.
Now, after a good 4 week “rest season”, we’re easing back into more structured bed and wake-up times, intentional school time with Ja and I, and a little more consistency in our days.
Along with this mindset shift, I’m also finding that a few things are helping us get back into the flow:
Charlie’s Soap — because our school is also very, very dirty.
Even though we’ve officially started school, so much of our learning still happens outside. Backpacking, exploring, playing, cabin fun, getting muddy and sitting on the ground. And of course, all of that ends up back in the laundry room.
With two boys and a family that spends a ridiculous amount of time outside, I honestly do laundry every couple of days. I need something that can handle dirt, sweat, mystery stains and the smell of adventure—and Charlie’s Soap has been amazing. It gets the stains out, gets rid of the odors and leaves everything actually smelling clean. And when I say it smells clean, I don’t mean the overly perfumed smell, just the natural good clean.
Power to the Pen — G2 Boost
One of the things I’m learning as a homeschool mom is that it’s helpful to have tools that make the transition back into structure feel a little more fun.
We’ve spent all summer asking questions, reading signs, exploring new places and learning without really realizing we were learning. Now, as we ease back into more intentional school time, I love having some tools that helps writing more fun and exciting. It’s been amazing how a pile of multi colored pens (that actually work!) has changed their outlook on writing. Instead of groaning, it’s ooo, what color of pen will I pick for this word??
G2 Boost is part of that warm-up for us—getting the writing muscles going, and getting the focus and creative juices flowing again without jumping straight from summer freedom into FULL SCHOOL MODE.
Chakiboo RenewAKnee Joggers
For us, homeschool doesn’t mean we stay home. We’r constantly moving- hiking, biking, backpacking, camping, playing and doing all the things that make this lifestyle so amazing.. and very hard on the knees.
As we head back into a bit more of a structured season, these were part of their “going back to school” package because they both being cozy at home, yet don’t want to take the time to change before they head out to play. These transition amazingly well. They go from cozy couch reading, to riding bikes and playing in the hood seamlessly. They also clean up super well and the different knee pics are so fun. Their fit and return policy is also top notch, if they aren’t perfect – just send them back and they will get you sorted.
PDW Swigamajig
This little piece of gear has turned out to be very useful and was also part of the kids “back to school” package. Many times, right after we get done with our time together, they head outside as fast as they can. Especially right now, as the weather is perfect and our hood is hopping with kids ready to play as soon as they are done. This is all to say that they don’t take time to drink water or eat before hopping on their bikes.
So instead of dealing with cranky dehydrated kids later on in the day, I make a point to keep their water bottles filled and on their bikes. These little bags make it so easy because the bottle is right there in their face (instead of down on the frame out of view). Having the bottle very easy to access has been working for us so far and will work even better I am sure once Mountain Bike Mondays start up again!
It’s simple, useful and one of those little things that makes everyday life easier—which I am all for when we’re trying to find our rhythm again.
ROK Presso Smartshot — my back-to-school treat
Because getting up early to train before school starts requires a little incentive… and mine is caffeine.
We’ve actually had the classic ROK for 15 years, and it is still making incredible coffee. So when I had the chance to try the newer Presso Smartshot, I was very excited.
After two weeks of very solid use, I could not be more thrilled with it.
It’s quiet, easy to use, looks beautiful on the counter and—maybe most importantly—it’s actually very fun and very satisfying to use. There’s something about the little ritual of making a really good cup of coffee before heading out for an early morning workout.
Back-to-school structure means earlier mornings for me, getting my training done before everyone wakes up and then diving into our family learning time, work and all the rest that comes up spontanously through out the day.
And for me, the thing that gets me out of bed at dark-thirty is knowing there’s an amazing cup of coffee waiting for me.
Gnarly Nutrition — because back to school is also back to my biggest training blocks.
With school on the books again, I have to be more structured with not only my own time, but also my nutrition and recovery.
For me, going back to school has always collided with my biggest training blocks—because my sport, adventure racing, has its championships every fall.
So while we’re getting the kids back into a rhythm, I’m also trying to stay in tip-top shape, healthy and ready to go. And honestly, that can be one of the biggest challenges: training hard while also getting the family up and running, homeschooling, working and keeping all the plates spinning.
But- it’s what I love.
Gnarly Protein has become part of my morning routine. I know I’m getting my protein and collagen in, and it is extremely delicious. I’m not the only one who loves it. The kids have started making their own smoothies with it too—which is always a win when you find something the whole family genuinely enjoys.
Lusso Cloud x woom Swirl
Because as I have said multiple times, our family learning time doesn’t always look like sitting at a table.
Many times they start that way, but usually a couple of times a week our days see us riding bikes to the library, going to a cafe or on a hike in the woods behind our house.
Having shoes that are easy to get on, easy to clean, comfortable enough to wear all day and go wherever the day takes us is huge.
The Lusso Clouds are lightweight, water-friendly and made to be easy for kids to slip on and go. And the Woom Swirl? Obviously the boys are all about the color.
And honestly, shoes that can go from neighborhood play to bikes to the creek and back home again are exactly the kind of back-to-school shopping I can get behind.
4HourFuel — The Daily
This one has become exactly what the name suggests for me: The Daily.
I take it every day and genuinely notice the difference in my energy levels—especially when I’m trying to train hard while also homeschooling, working and doing approximately 47 other things. It contains creatine, HMB and vitamin D- which are all things this aging body of mine needs to keep doing what I am doing. I love to mix it up in a big mason jar with a splash of juice every morning or mid day. It’s a great starter or mid afternoon “mocktail” treat that I know is giving me the building blocks I need to be the best I can be.
Back-to-school season means the days become more structured, but they can also become fuller. There’s more to remember, more to plan and more people needing things from you. The Daily has become part of my daily routine and one of those things that helps me feel like I have the energy to show up for all of it—and still have enough left to train.
Patagonia Seabrook Joggers
If I’m being completely honest, part of getting myself back into the homeschool rhythm is simply getting out of my pajamas. We have a family rule, that our “family learning time” starts after we have all been breakfasted and have changed into our daily clothes. It may be a placebo, but I honestly see and feel the difference in our learning and focus when we are dressed for the day vs when we are still in our PJs.
However, the “day” clothes can be cozy and comfy. They just have to be something other than your sleep clothes.. as we don’t want sleepy energy for learning!
The Sea Brooke joggers have hit that spot and have become my homeschool mom uniform. They’re comfortable enough for sitting on the floor, moving around the house, heading outside or suddenly deciding that today’s school should happen somewhere else. But they still feel put together enough that I don’t feel like I’m wearing pajamas all day.
And with the kind of days we have—where school can be followed by work, a walk, a bike ride, a trail or an unexpected adventure—I love that they can roll with all of it. They’re made with a recycled polyester/spandex stretch blend and designed for movement while keeping a more polished jogger look.
Basically: back-to-school shopping, but not just for the kids.
After one full homeschool year under my belt I believe the biggest take away / thing that I wanted to bring into this year was something I have learned from my training:
Consistency doesn’t have to mean doing the same thing every day.
For us, consistency doesn’t mean doing the same thing every day. It means creating a consistent space—a container for learning and connection—that happens every day. Sometimes that means starting off the day by reading a story together. Sometimes we dive deep into a project and follow a thread wherever it takes us. And sometimes, honestly, it means getting the worksheets done so we can cut the time short and go play.
Even during our longer “rest” periods, we’ve found that we still naturally create that space together. We share a meal, talk, read, hang out, or simply be together before heading off to do our own thing.
The container stays. What we do inside of it can ebb and flow.
Because sometimes the best school day is sitting on the couch with a good book, and sometimes it’s standing on a trail reading a historical marker, asking a million questions, and realizing afterward… Oh. We were doing “school“.