MomSlay Monday: Middle School is kicking my ahhhh

Happy Monday, friends! This week was a quieter one at our house. The kids stayed with their dad, and while the house was still, my mind was not. We officially wrapped up the first quarter of school, which means report cards, reflection, and a mom with a plan.

Real talk: middle school is an adjustment

If you’ve had a kid make the jump to middle school, you know it’s a lot. New building, more teachers, more responsibility, and a lot more independence than they’re used to. One of my boys is still finding his footing, so I pulled out my planner and got to work on some new time blocking for our family.

Here’s our game plan:

Taking a screen break. It’s not a punishment, it’s a reset. I want his focus right where it belongs.

Adding extra support. We’ve added tutoring to the schedule, including some early mornings. This mom will be up with the coffee ready.

Building a solid after-school routine. My goal is for him to feel supported and proactive, not overwhelmed. Structure is love, and I want him to know he’s not doing this alone.

Advocating for every resource. I’m working with his school to make sure he has access to all the support available to him. Part of being a mom is being your child’s loudest advocate, and I take that job seriously.

Here’s what I want my son to know: I’m not asking for perfect. I’m asking for effort, consistency, and a willingness to ask for help. We’re going to figure this out together.

*Pro Tip: I have mini business meetings with all four of my kids on Fridays, I go over their grades and chat about what’s missing so they know what the need to fix moving forward! I’m on those grades like white in riceeeeee

What’s for Dinner: Lasagna Soup

Soup season continues! This week I’m making lasagna soup on Wednesday or Thursday … It has all the cozy flavor of lasagna without the layering, and I make mine with ground turkey.

Serves 6

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamier soup)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cheesy topping:

• 1 cup ricotta
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the ground turkey and season it well with salt and pepper, since turkey is leaner and needs the extra flavor.
2. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, then stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes for 1 minute.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes and broth, then simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Add the broken lasagna noodles and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until tender. Stir in the cream if you’re using it.
6. Mix the ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella together. Top each bowl with a big dollop.

Mom tip: Add a pinch of fennel seed with the seasonings. It gives ground turkey that Italian sausage flavor, and no one will know the difference. And if you’re planning on leftovers, the noodles soak up the broth overnight, so add a splash more broth when you reheat it.

Your turn…

How do you set your kids up for success after school? Tutoring, routines, screen-time rules? Tell me in the comments. I’m always open to new ideas from moms in the trenches with me!

See you Thursday… XO, Meka