Friends Of Elsie

The kids start school soon. But I'll admit it: Back-to-school is at times the furthest thing from my mind.

With summer coming to an end, I'm in the middle of lots of changes. I have started a new part- time job. Our family is busy building our new home, a log cabin that my husband Ed and I have always dreamed of. And on top of it all, our three children Lindsey (16), Mark (15), and Lydia (6) are all getting ready to go back to school.

Managing their schedules is always tough. Even before they sit down to breakfast, they're hustling out the door to feed their calves. (Living on a dairy farm comes with its own rewards, and its own unique responsibilities.)

Somewhere between all of our activities, I'm trying to get our kids ready for school. And each of my children has their own individual needs and anxieties about what the next year will hold.

I'm not the perfect mom. But I find that with everything swirling around me, prioritizing helps me keep everything in perspective. Like realizing that spending time building a home together, even with all the challenges and hard work, means we're getting to spend great quality time with the kids, especially Mark and Lindsey who are only a few years from leaving. Finding time for family togetherness, whether it's something as big as building a cabin, as small as sharing a family meal, or as routine as buying school supplies, is my biggest priority and ultimately, my greatest reward.

My advice for staying calm during the bustle of back-to-school? Make family togetherness a priority, stay organized, and do the best you can.

Jenny Lynne Pfeifer, Pfeifer Dairy Farm

Need a great tasting back-to-school recipe? Try the Pfeifer Family Taco Pie. Learn more about the Pfeifer family by watching the Pfeifer family video on Facebook.

Top Three Friends of Elsie Back-to-School Tips

1. Plan your meals on the weekend to get a jumpstart on daily meal preparation
2. Set up a color-coded calendar, in print or electronic form, to keep track of activities for each of the kids
3. Make a school kite for the car, including a variety of school supplies like pens, notebook paper, and a calculator, so the kids can make effective use of long drives to-and-from activities

Trade back-to-school tips with other parents through the Back-to-School discussion board on the Friends of Elsie Facebook page.