In the last few months, I've left the house in my slippers, twice. To clarify, not on purpose. Once was to the airport in pouring rain.
That’s what August feels like - the month where every system breaks down just in time for back-to-school/daycare to show up like a surprise pop quiz. You don’t need a new chore chart. You need a “frequently forgotten” list and a shared folder titled School Crap.
This issue’s for the non-crafty, the half-functioning, and the parents currently eating lunch over the sink. We see you. LOL what are we saying. We ARE you.
Psst: Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe HERE→ it’s free!
🧘♀️ Chaos-Calmer: The "Forgotten Twice" List
👉 If you forgot it last month and this week — it goes on the fridge. We’re not talking lunchboxes and water bottles. We mean the random crap that derails your morning because it’s not part of the daily routine: pajama day, Amazon returns, the check for that mystery fundraiser your coworkers are passing around.
Start a sticky note called the Forgotten Twice List.
Stuff like:
Library book
Post office package
Dry cleaning pickup
Your checkbook/cash
Shoes (apparently. For some of us.)
Stick it by the door. If it’s wrecked your morning more than once, it’s earned a permanent spot.
🍽 The No-Fuss Lunch Grid
👉 Bento energy, minus the bento. You don’t need cookie cutters. You need: 1 Protein + 1 Fruit/Veg + 1 Carb + 1 Treat.
Make a 4-column list for you (or your kidlet) to pick from and organize this week's shopping. Example:
Protein: turkey, cheese stick, yogurt pouch
Fruit/Veg: strawberries, baby carrots, applesauce
Carb: mini bagels, pita chips, leftover mac
Treat: Oreos, fruit leather, granola bar
Throw em' into a box. No guesswork, no whining, and no sandwiches shaped like a bear. Or a dinosaur. Unless you’re really into that.
Did you know? 🧃 JuiceBox is built by a tiny team of working parents just like you. We curate and write this stuff so you don’t have to but we’d LOVE for you to get in on the action.
💬 Got a time-saving tip or a chaos-fighting hack of your own? Hit reply and share it—we all need a village, and we’d love to hear from you.
👯♀️ Know a fellow parent who needs this? Forward away or hit this button:
⚡ The 'Memory Keeper' Photo Folder
👉 You know that email with the early-out calendar? Or the supply list? Or the school bus number? Screenshot it. Dump it in a shared photo album called “School Crap.” (Just our name suggestion.)
Now when your partner asks “when’s picture day?” or you blank on the pick-up time, you’ve got it in one swipe.
Pro move: Share the album with your co-parent or caregiver. Bonus if it includes that weird QR code for school lunch money.
K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.
-CK “Bento Boss” Fuller (Editor) & the JB Crew 🫡
PS: Next week is for when school drop-off and your 9am meeting happen at the same time. It’s not balance. It’s triage, and we’ve got real tactics for that.