August 21, 2008
Organizing for Back-to-School
While some parents are counting the hours until their kids go back to school, others are dreading their little ones taking their first steps away from home. Either way, if you're not already in back-to-school mode, now is the time to start thinking about helping your kids transition from the lounging state to the learning state. Here are some tips to help you do just that and eliminate back-to-school stress for the entire family.
TIP #1 - USE A FAMILY CALENDAR: This is a must have if you want to save your - and your kids' - sanity! A calendar is a central place to keep track of all the meetings and appointments that occur at this time of year. It doesn't matter whether you use a big wall calendar, a planner you carry with you or an online calendar just as long as you have one and use it consistently.
TIP #2 - CLEAR THE DECKS: Clean out the kids' closets and bureaus so you'll know what they have that still works and what they'll need to supplement that. Do this BEFORE you take them shopping so you buy only what they really need. This will cut down on unnecessary expenditures and stop clutter at its source.
TIP #3 - LET'S GO SHOPPING!: Hurry up and get your kids their new school clothes before there's nothing good left to buy at the back-to-school sales! And don't forget their school supplies.
TIP #4 - WHAT DID I DO WITH THAT?: Create a family binder and keep all your kids' important school papers - schedules, contact information, etc. - in it. Designate a home for it and let everyone know where that is so they can refer to the binder should the need arise. Be sure to include the names of your emergency contacts.
TIP #5 - SEPARATE, BUT EQUAL: Give each of your kids a not-too-large basket, tray or plastic bin to hold their personal school papers, i.e. class assignments. When the container is full, thatē“ the signal that it's time to decide what needs to be kept and what can be tossed.
TIP #6 - EARLY TO BED; EARLY TO RISE: Start easing your kids back into their school sleep schedule now. If you do, it will be easier on them and on you when school actually begins.
TIP #7 - LET'S DO LUNCH: If your kids take lunch from home, make sure you have all the necessary wrapping and packing items. Start making a shopping list of the lunch foods you'll want to have on hand. Designate one shelf in the fridge to hold anything that is to go in lunches. Make sure everyone knows they're not allowed to snack on anything on that shelf.
TIP #8 - CREATE MOTIVATION: Establish good homework habits at the beginning of the school year by setting up a "motivation station" - a quiet, comfortable, well-lit place where they can go to concentrate on their homework - for each kid, Pencils, pens, erasers, paper, glue, scissors, paper clips, a stapler, a calculator, their assignment book or calendar, and reference materials are all must-haves. Once your kids sit down to work, they shouldn't have to hunt for basic supplies.
TIP #9 - WHAT'S FOR DINNER?: The first few weeks of school can be stressful. Planning out your dinner menus and buying groceries in advance can help make things easier.
TIP #10 - CLEAN SWEEP: If your kids like to do their homework at the kitchen table, chances are it's often overrun with their school supplies. If so, make sure you have a system for clearing it off quickly. Use baskets or stackable bins to store each kid's homework materials. Label them with your kids' names or even their pictures so there's no confusion or arguing about what belongs to who!
TIP #11 - PRACTICE RUNS: In most cases, familiarity eases fear. Trying something before diving into it makes the whole process a little bit easier. Do some practice runs of the walk to school, the bus stop, etc. It will help everyone get the timing down and reduce stress.
TIP #12 - CAN WE TALK?: If you aren't already, start talking to your kids about the new school year. Go over all the rules they need to know concerning homework, TV time, computer use, etc. Be sure to talk to them about any fears and concerns they might have.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009