Back to School, Homework, Oh My

Its fall ya'll!? Or at least it ALMOST feels like it here in Houston.? Usually we are start seeing the "get ready for fall" or "count down to fall - 2 weeks to go" and we roll our eyes, knowing that its really going to be another 6 weeks for us.? But not this year.??

We got a cool front and Its been GLORIOUS.? I love every season for different reasons, but Fall is probably my favorite because summer in Houston is long and hot.? We all look forward to busting out our sweaters, cardigans, and tailored suit jackets.? With highs in the upper 80's....well, THATS FALL YA'LL!

Alright, so here are our 4 bullets for Monday Morning Moms:

(1) The surprising product that can change your hair!

I don't buy into gimmicks.? I'm a less is more kind of girl at heart.? So I didn't think much about it when my friend had been raving about a new showerhead she got.? Then I saw an article on hair health and the chemicals in our water.? My mind immediately whipped back to our conversation and I had to dive in.

Turns out, there could be some truth to this.??

I don't know about you, but as I have gotten older, my hair has gotten pretty MEH.? I am always looking for legitimate ways to protect and maintain my long hair.? I found several interesting articles, like HERE, HERE and HERE.

This is the one my friend got and it has AMAZING reviews.? Several others are linked in the articles above.? Maybe the Jolie is great, but I might try this cheap option as a starting point.? Let me know what you think.??

(2) HOMEWORK HACKS

I have 3 sons.? Thankfully we aren't at the point where we have massive amounts of homework, but this is where things have gotten interesting as a working mom recently: the kids need me more than ever right after school.? They want to download, they want to run amok, but they also have some homeworks and things to do after school.

I was a latchkey kid and I just did my homework immediately when I got home.? My parents never had to ask or sit with me.? Literally, like never.? I was really independent and all of my responsibilities were done by the time my dad got home (around 45 minutes after I did).??

My kids....not so much.? They seem to thrive when they have a little mental break, but getting them to go through their backpacks, review work or do homework right after school can be a pain.? They always want to "do it later" and that doesn't fly for me.? Later seems to never come without a bunch of force on my end.? I like DISCIPLINE = FREEDOM; which means do what you HAVE to do, so then you can do what you WANT to do.

But is this realistic:??This Mom Is Opting Her Kid Out Of Homework

Here are some tips that may actually help!

(3) THIS OR THAT --> Swap your fave recipe for a healthier option

Who doeans't love a beautiful, fresh, and delicious Caprese Salad?! I mean, on its own, its healthy and nutritious, but what if we kicked it up a notch and made it even more simple?? Swapping Mozzarella for Cottage Cheese takes us there. This also makes a quick and cute appetizer for a girls night or celebration!

Whats the big difference?

Cottage cheese has approx 13 grams of protein per 100 calories versus Mozzarella which comes in around 6 grams of protein in 100 calories.

Want to give it a try?? Here is the recipe/video I sent to my law school besties this weekend.

I also found this recipe, but I like to keep simple.

(4) Working Motherhood & Sick Kids

So the kids have been back to school for 3 weeks.? In Week 2, I had 2 sick kids staying home on 2 different days.? We had literally just got back into a routine, and POOF, someone is home.??

Whats crazier, apparently lots of little people caught a bug and were out that second week of school, leaving working moms and stay at home moms alike frazzled and at their wits end.??

Curious how other moms handle it?? Here is an awesome article with advice from 9 real-life working moms.

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Life and work not what you expected? Going through some family or life changes and need to modify your schedule or career track but not sure how? Reach out! I can help!