New Year & Back-to-School Check-In: 2026 Is Here… How Ya Doing?
2026 is officially here and school is back in session, so let me ask the real question: how ya doing, mama?
Because over here… whew. We came in hot.
Like actual bang-level hot.
My parents were rear-ended by a drunk driver on New Year’s Day. Their car? Absolutely totaled. As in: scrap yard chic. They now have exactly zero vehicles, and used cars apparently now cost more than twice what insurance thinks they should. So here I am, stepping into my new role for 2026—Chauffeur in Chief—driving them to doctor visits, the drug store, the grocery store, and anywhere else the week decides to throw at us.
And look, in one of those if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry moments, the damage nearly took out the gas tank. So yes, while we’re juggling rides and waiting for my magical money tree (that I’ve tended for 20 years) to finally bloom, I’m just grateful my parents weren’t pulled from a burning vehicle. We’ll take the blessings where we can find them.
Back to School… or Back to Battle?
The girls? Reluctantly transitioning back into school mode.
For two weeks straight during break, they were bright-eyed little roosters waking me up at 5:30 AM. Now? Now I’m dragging them out of bed at 6:15 like I’m pulling sea lions off warm rocks. They are tired, cranky, and moving slower than a turtle crossing honey.
Every morning is a buffet of complaints:
“I have nothing to wear.”
“I don’t like anything in the pantry.”
“The lights are too bright.”
“If we’re walking, I want to ride. If we’re riding, I want to walk.”
“I’m too tired for gymnastics.”
…yet at 7 PM it’s suddenly UFC Fight Night, and these “so tired” children are screaming, jumping, running, and bouncing off the walls like they’ve been secretly snacking on espresso beans.
Meanwhile I’m over here deep-breathing, guzzling coffee, and tapping out by 9:30 like the old lady I am. This week I’ve rocked a true back-to-school beauty routine: messier mom bun, brushed teeth, a drop of moisturizer, and concealer thick enough to hide every dark circle from here to eternity. If you’ve seen me at carpool in dark sunglasses in the morning fog, I promise—I’m fine. I just turned 49, and my body said, “We will be adjusting… slowly.”
Summer Camps Already? Seriously?!
A lot of summer camps in our area opened this week and I kid you not… some are already waitlisted.
Who are these people that have their entire 2026 game plan locked down? Because I’m over here signing the girls up for “Parents Night Out” tomorrow and my husband and I don’t even know what we’re doing, much less what the children will be doing in June.
I still have NO idea what we’re doing for February Break. Or Spring Break. Honestly, I deserve a medal for even remembering it’s January.
But hey—I am ahead in one thing: trying to register Jenna for Kindergarten!
I attempted today like the responsible mother I like to pretend I am… only to learn registration doesn’t open until April. Her school also does a week-long Kindergarten camp in the summer, but that won’t be scheduled until Spring either. So here I am, holding half of July hostage on our calendar like it’s a federal secret.
Speaking of Camps… How Are Prices Looking for Y’all?
Because in our area, get this:
Structured camps with low teacher–student ratios (6–8 hours per day) are $425+ per week per child.
Camps with shorter hours or shorter weeks? Still $100–$200 per kid.
And they are already waitlisting!
So honestly? I may go full old-school this summer and declare “Home Camp.”
We’re talking:
Hooked on Phonics
Educational playlists on YouTube
A challenge to read EVERY book in our house
Library adventures
Field trips to the grocery store
Good old-fashioned chores
If you need me in August, I’ll be the mom waving goodbye to her children as they run back to school begging their teachers to take them.
A Brighter Note: The Website Glow-Up!
One thing I have been pouring time and joy into? The redesign of my website!
✨ Lots of FREE new resources for YOU.
Introducing Nugget’s Corner—a little hub where my creative brain gets to run wild. You’ll find FREE printables (coloring pages, learning fun, activity sheets), PLUS a couple short stories starring my shaggy little CDO—Chief Distraction Officer, Mr. Nugget himself.
I’ve also added a Meet My Family page so you can officially meet the sweet chaos crew behind all things PlanIt.Mom. And yes—the Etsy shop has new parenting + nostalgia merch that I’m ridiculously excited about.
So come stop by, say hi, browse around, and let me know what you think. Your support truly keeps this mama going.
Alright mamas, here’s to a new year filled with grace, caffeine, carpool lanes, and figuring it out one “what now?” moment at a time.
We’ve got this—messy buns, dark circles, questionable schedules and all.
With love, laughter, and a whole lot of coffee,
– PlanIt.Mom ☕💛
