Wooed by back to school normalcy
Ready for routines, meal preps, and home.
Happy Monday! Today is going to be a great day and I’m so glad you’re here. 🥰
I saw the first “___’s first day of first grade!” post on FB (did I just age myself?) this week and I was so shocked. It’s still July?!?! It’s still summer?! Where did summer break go???
My kids are officially done with their summer programs at their preschools and the next two weeks will just be hodge-podging of myself, my husband, camps, babysitters, the TV, all of the above. May God bless us all.
Our first day of the official school year starts in about 3 weeks and I am not the slightest prepared. I’ve requested school forms from the pediatrician’s office and that’s all I’ve got so far. How about you? Are you all back-to-school soon?
I, for one, am so excited about getting back to school and getting back into routine and the swing of things. Our summer (year) has been non-stop on the move and I am ready to settle.
Now I want to hear from all 1,580 of you: What is your biggest back-to-school food struggle? Would love to think of ways to better help you this BTS season! Let me know in the poll at the end.
According to last week’s poll, 66% of you said you also feel like life has been throwing extra curveballs at you lately. A few tips that could help:
Lower the bar on purpose. Pick what’s getting less of you right now (meals, tidiness, replying fast) so it’s a choice, not a slow slide into guilt.
Take the 10 minutes you have, not the hour you don’t — coffee before they wake, a walk around the block. Consistency over duration.
Say it out loud to one person. “I’m at capacity” opens the door to real help instead of people assuming you’re fine.
Check if you’re solo-tracking things — appointments, what’s running low, work deadlines — that someone else could share. That invisible load is often the heaviest part.
Let’s get into it:
🍽️ What’s for Dinner
Garlic Shrimp and Tomatoes with Parmesan Orzo - The thing about orzo and shrimp are that they both cook so fast so you already know it’ll be a weeknight win. Yummy combo of flavors for kids and adults!
Ground Beef Baked Tacos - I was just thinking about how I hadn’t made this in so long but it’s def in my family’s top 5 favorite dinners. Super simple yet so delicious- it’s been a repeat in my household for years.
Six-Minute Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks - My daughter’s birthday was this past week and I made this for her birthday dinner. She loves white rice and I was thinking of easy yummy proteins to serve with and this came to mind. She also loves roasted broccoli and edamame so they made the perfect sides! I had leftover red cabbage so threw that in for good measure and made a quick cucumber salad.
Grilled Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetables - This high protein, veggie-packed dinner comes together in 30 minutes and is so fresh for a perfect summer dinner. My kids love tzatziki sauce.
Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta - Made a variation of this last week and it was so good. We did sausages, diced onion, diced peppers, and peas in cracked pepper and parmesean sauce with spaghetti and the kids absolutely devoured it.
❤️ What I’m Recommending
This newsletter contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you (thanks for supporting the newsletter!).
Love this 100% linen dress with the scalloped edges and cute details! Easy to dress up or down
Really good olive oil goes a long way and I love this antioxidant superfood that cooks so well. Also love lathering it on my body with this high-quality body wash
I have finally found my perfect size punch bowl!!!! Hosted over 20 adults and 18 kids at my daughter’s second birthday and we doubled my husband’s rum punch recipe and there was still room to fill up top. Honestly shocked at how much this size can hold
I’ve been using this mascara for over a month now and I’m so impressed. I am someone that lacks in the eyelashes department and this volumizing mascara makes me look like I have full lashes! Super lightweight and lifts so well
My MIL has pickled onions in the fridge and they seriously go well with everything that I now want to have pickled onions in the fridge at all times now. These wide glass jars are perfect for just that and more
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💸 In This Economy? (Mom’s Version)
San Francisco Bay Area Mom Working in AI Talks About IVF, ISR
In This Economy? is a weekly series showcasing the costs of motherhood from real moms. Want to share your story anonymously? Submit here — no names, no judgment.
Age: 44
Kids: 3.5yo, 2nd due in 2 weeks
Job: Director of People, AI Tech Startup
Yearly salary and bonus: 190K
First salary and how compensation has changed over your career: $15/hr 😂 Working in tech, it increased exponentially
Spouse’s salary: N/A Single Mom By Choice. IVF babies
Household income: 190K
Current net worth: $2M (house only $90K from being laid off + stocks)
Own or rent: Own - $1,500/mo
Childcare or daycare expense: $1,300 PT daycare
Recent purchase you regret: Disneyland Season Pass. Different phase in life and can’t go as often.
Splurge and don’t regret: Pool Fence and ISR lessons. Extreme anxiety with little ones and pool.
Best “mom sanity” splurge: Massages! Need it once a month.
Weekly spend on kid stuff: Too much. I feel like I have to life up to a standard of nice clothes, stimulating activities, and healthy food.
Weekly spend on groceries: I don’t cook. DoorDash is about $80/day
Most spent on a kid birthday party: I did a dance party theme for her 2nd bday with taco catering. It was about $6K
Saving for your kids college tuitions: 100%. $100/per paycheck and ask for donations to 529 for bdays and xmas
Managing family budget: I don’t. I just hope I have money in my account 🤦🏻♀️
Something financial you wish your parents taught you: How to save for big ticket home improvement items. I rely on a HELOC and then pay it off.
Ways to save money on kid-related expenses: I only buy on sale or FB marketplace
Money advice for other moms: Buy baby stuff second hand
Work/life balance: Decent.
Most stressful thing as it relates to kids and money: Having enough when they are older.
In this economy, I still somehow _______: Have a job!
Thanks again for being here. If you love it, forward this to a mom friend—more voices make this better. And if you ever want to share, vent, or suggest something, just hit reply. I’m reading every email!
Woo you next week,
Ann