Tip Tuesday - Back To School Part 1 - 5 Ways to Pre-Prepare

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!"

Remember that Staples commercial, where the Dad is gliding through the store on a shopping cart and his despondent kids are shuffling after him? I LOVE that commercial. I LOVE back to school. I think even if I weren't a teacher, I would love this time of year. Getting to buy new supplies, new clothes, the promise of new friends and teachers.

This year it means even more as my kids prepare to start school not only in a new school, but a new state.

Next week's post will deal with more of the nitty gritty of back to school time, including lists galore. This week, I am focusing on getting ready to get ready.

It seems silly to phrase it that way, but now is the time to think about systems that will help the school year go more smoothly.

1. Set up your calendar now.

If you don't already, set up one central calendar for everyone. Every family activity needs to go on this calendar. If you have recurring activities (such as sports practices or family activities) put those on there now.

Many schools have the school calendar online- check your school district's website to see if yours is posted. If so, go ahead and enter in the half days and days off. This can help prevent issues later on.

2. Take Inventory

Take inventory of the supplies and clothes your kids already have on hand and what they will need. Next week, I will post a downloadable list to take to the store. For now, see what fits and what doesn't.

Once you know what your kids need, start paying attention to end of season sales. For example, I shopped at The Children's Place and bought 8 pairs of jeans and a few other items for under $95. That, my friends, is a deal.

3. Check Medical Records

Will your child need any shots or sports physicals? If so, make an appointment now, instead of waiting until school starts and to battle with everyone else. If you have a kid on meds, make sure you have a prescription ready to go to school, if necessary.

4. Confirm or Set Up Childcare Arrangements

If your kids will be attending a before or after school program, enroll them now. Research any fees and possible discounts you may be eligible for. If you are making other arrangements, make sure you confirm the details so that, just in case you need to make a change, you have plenty of time to do so.

5. Start Changing Their Schedules

If your house is anything like mine, your schedule has been a little...off. Start working now to get your kids on a closer to school schedule. I'm not suggesting you get them ready to wake up at 6 (unless that works for you), but maybe start working their bedtimes a little closer to a school appropriate one.

Next week we will tackle shopping for the school year and the following week I will address getting your homework systems into place. Have a suggestion or question? Leave it in the comments!

Comments

[hotelcheck]

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[Barb]

Ahhh yes! Back to school. The panic is setting in!

[Alana Morales, Author Domestically Challenged]

Thanks for the comments ladies! And Eva, you are my new best friend for suggesting that I am actually young. ;)

[Ronnica]

I'm neither a student, a teacher, or a parent, but I love back to school. I always find some reason to buy a few school supplies (whether for my teacher friend, for my Sunday school class, or to give away).

[Jamie]

Stopping by from SITS. :)

Great list. With my other kids getting older, a family calendar is really going to be a must have. I have started tweaking their schedules now so it's not such a culture shock once school rolls around. Not a lot, since we still have a month, but just a little bit here and there.

[Eva Gallant]

Those are some really good tips. Having been a teacher (17 years of my working career) and a mother, I would have found those to be really helpful back then. Where the heck where you?? (Oh, you probaby weren't even born yet! lol)
Just stopped by from SITS; hope you will find time to do the same.