Summer is zipping by! Time to get your household ready for September and back to school.
Why not involve your children a little more in the process this year?
It’s good to encourage independence and including your kids will help them to be more prepared and accountable.
Here are a few ideas to help you successfully navigate back to school, together.
School Supplies & New Stuff
The allure of new stuff is hard to resist. Go through their school items together and decide what is still useful. Make a list of items they already have. Just get the basics, instead of just buying all new items. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Most teachers will send home a list of what they will need for the school year. Avoid purchasing unnecessary or duplicate school supplies. They may not require a math set this year.
Do a closet clean out and remove items your child has outgrown ~ Donate ~ make room for new items. It’s hard to resist back to school fashion, but before you shop ~ Ask them what they would like to wear for the first day of school? They may have ideas of their own and it may already be in their closet. Perhaps all that’s required are a few finishing pieces, like new shoes or accessories to update the look.
Packing lunches
School mornings can be hectic. Packing school lunches is a daunting task. Enlist the kids help.
If they help pack their lunch, they may be more likely to eat it.
Consider working towards this job being their responsibility. Setting goals are good, but be realistic.
Perhaps every Wednesday, they could make their own lunch or each night they could pack any non-refrigerated items themselves?
Explain the school’s allergy policies. It’s important to understand how to read ingredients on food labels.
Use reusable containers. Have the kids match up storage containers lids and discard items that have lost their mates. Invest in a reusable water bottle, most schools have hydration stations for easy refills.
Ask your kids what they like in their lunches and create a grocery list together.
Designate a place in your kitchen cupboard for lunch boxes and a spot in the freezer for ice packs.
It should be their job to clean out their lunch box and put everything back in its place after school.
Yes, even a kindergartener can master this task.
Transportation
How will your child be getting to school?
Discuss transportation with your kids so they know what to expect and what time they will need to be ready to leave, to be on time. Aim to be 10 minutes early, since bus times are approximate.
If your child is biking to school, it’s a good idea to revisit helmets, locks, bike safety and signals.
Routines
The key to a stress-free 1st day, an early bedtime.
Decide on a reasonable bed time goal for you both.
Work on improving your sleep routines well ahead of the first day to be at your best come September.
Enjoy this Special Day
Don’t wait until the last minute. Prep as much as you can ahead of time, so you can enjoy the excitement of the first day of school. Don’t stress too much about it. Breathe. Take a step back. Let your kids help. You may be pleasantly surprised by how capable they are.
Don’t forget to take an annual back to school photo… It’s a great keepsake and so nice to look back on how much they’ve grown each year.
Making Memories
Ask us at NEAT SPACES about our easy and guilt free way to organize school and sport/hobby photos (I know they are all over the house where you would least expect to find them LOL)
We have set this up for many families, you don’t have to be a Martha Stewart to have your children’s memory books all together and organized. Trust me! There’s nothing better than seeing your children enjoying their class and individual photos with friends when they come over and laughing together. I have a budget and time friendly solution. Ask Wendy!
Testimonial
It’s always nice to hear from satisfied clients.
Read what Jeff from Milton had to say about NEAT SPACES Professional Organizing Service.
WOW! What can I say, I am absolutely thrilled with the final outcome of the basement, it has brought tears to my eyes as the basement has been a huge sore spot with me for many years! I always hated going down there to get something….Please thank all those involved with this project, it’s so greatly appreciated! Thank you once again for “clearing up my life”.
