3 Steps to Back-To-School Sanity
08/19/2011
Every year when school rolls around mixed emotions are flying everywhere! Some are happy to be back in the routine of things, some are sad the summer is over, some are stressed over their hectic schedule and others are happy to see their friends again! Between school schedules, extra-curricular activities, getting the kids out the door in the mornings, and piles of homework to get done-the back to school season can be very chaotic!
Here are a few simple ways to help your back to school season glide by just a little bit smoother.
Preplan- Before school even starts sit down together as a family, and work out your game plan for the following month. Who will be participating in what activities, at what times and who will be picking up the kids and dropping them off! This gives you a good idea of what is to come, and possibly even what things you need to cut out of the schedule if it’s too busy.
Prepack- Every night before bed time make sure the kids have their backpacks ready for school the next day. Make sure the agenda is signed and all homework is ready to be turned in. That way if you wake up late the next morning, or the kids are slow, you will not have to scramble around getting everything together. You’ll not only be more organized but you’ll be more efficient. You can even prepack lunchboxes the night before! There are some great products that have Box Tops on them- you can help support your school at the same time! (Learn more at BoxTops4Education.com)
Prepare- Help your children know what to expect during the school year. Take them to meet their teachers before the first day of school. Start waking them up a little bit earlier each day before school starts so that their bodies can adjust to the new wake-up schedule. Let them pick out some of their own supplies and outfits. Prepare them for what the new school year may bring, and encourage them to enjoy making new friends.
The back to school season doesn’t have to have to be quite as stressful as you were dreading. Take a deep breath, do a little bit of preplanning, and before you know it you’ll be half way through the school year and looking forward to summer again!
This month’s contributor: Crystal is the writer an creator of the Surviving a Teacher’s Salary blog.