[ back ]
Back to School Survival Guide
(by Melissa Frasier - August 02, 2010)
Well its finally here, after weeks of anticipation, preparation and dread. Parents have shopped, kids have been drug all around town, and the kitchen pantry is now loaded with snacks. But alas, I am not talking about Christmas. It is time for kids to go BACK TO SCHOOL!
I dont know about your family, but it has been a long, hot summer full of some fun moments, some boring moments, and a bunch of sibling squawking! It seems like only last week when I was yearning for summer break when the kids could sleep in (which they didnt) and I didnt have to run around like crazy (which I still ended up doing in an effort to keep kids entertained). So needless to say, after 10 fun-filled weeks, I am more than ready to send everyone back to school.
It is so hard to get back into the swing of things with new schedules, new teachers, and new extra curricular activities, after a pretty relaxed summer. I am also a full-time student, as well as the mother of two students, so for me back to school is especially stressful. As I always like to do, I like to take a quick moment to reassess my life and see if there is anything I can do to make things run a little bit smother in the Frasier household.
Here are some basic Back to School survival tips that I have implemented in the past and hope to get better at this year.
Get ready for school ahead of time- Dont wait until the weekend before school starts to run out and try to get everything you need for the kids all at once. It might be too late by then to get all of the right sizes that they need for school clothes, and backpack selections get pretty limited. Plan a fun shopping trip in the beginning of August when it is less stressful to give yourself plenty of wiggle room for exchanges or hunting around for just the right back to school outfit.
Have a plan for the first day of school- Let the kids pick out what they will wear, confirm your pick- up and drop-off times (really important if children are at different schools), and figure out your lunch arrangement (hot or cold). This makes the morning less hectic, if everything has been decided already. It will be crazy enough just getting the entire family out the door on time!
Look at your calendar for the next couple of months before school starts- My husband always teases me for planning ahead, but I am the first one he runs to when he wants to know what is on the schedule! I like to look ahead about 2 months at a time, especially with my own school and work schedules to consider. Grab your calendar and sit down with your phone book and make some calls. Schedule those dentist and doctor appointments all at once. Figure out when ballet class is scheduled and what times the football games are on Saturdays. Putting it all down in one place is crucial! Toss those school calendars or game schedules once you write down what you need. I spend less time looking at one calendar schedule than trying to figure out 4 pieces of paper hanging on my refrigerator door.
Allow for some down time and dont over commit-While you are looking at the calendar, schedule in some down time. That sounds silly, but I started doing it and found that I will stick to it if I have it written down. Otherwise I jump on the hamster wheel and get spinning. It is really important for the kids as well, since they will be so tired out from the first few weeks of school.
Take a week at a time- Now that you have figured out your next couple of months, try to only take each week as it comes. Look at the master calendar on Sunday for the upcoming week only. Make sure everyone in the family knows what is going on for that week and who needs to be where. That way when the unexpected pops up during the week, you will be able to deal with it easier.
Organize the night before- Trying to organize the night before is my biggest struggle. Lets face it, by the time the evening rolls around, I just want to sit on the couch and take a breather. But by taking a few minutes to get the backpacks ready, lunches packed and clothes picked out, it makes for a much less stressful morning. Maybe this year I will be able to leave the house with some makeup on?
The end of summer and the start of a new school grade mark a new chapter in everyones lives, parents and children alike. It seems like only yesterday my son was starting kindergarten and now he is already in the 5th grade. One year blurs into another, and it flies by so quickly. So no matter how you decide to get ready to start another school year, try to remember that during the busy times, it is so important to take time out to enjoy your family. Dont over schedule. Dont join every club and activity out there. Take some time to spend together with your family after a busy day of school and work. In the end, that is really all that matters most. Dont worry, Christmas vacation is just around the corner!
[ back ]
