Back to school time should be about organizing ourselves and families for a successful school year. Getting organized does not guarantee academic success and family harmony, but it helps. A smooth back-to-school transition sets the stage for the rest of the school year, so the systems we put in place during the back to school period are critical.
The back-to-school media hype is not all wrong, though. One piece of the back-to-school puzzle is shopping for school supplies while they are readily available and on sale. But that doesn't mean you can't
save money on school supplies. And think long-term by purchasing high quality items, like
backpacks and lunch boxes, that can be used from year to year, but maybe going a little cheaper on the things that get used up.
School clothes or school uniforms are something else to shop for. Particularly when
buying school uniforms, do not wait until the week before school. The earlier you take care of this, the less stressful it will be!
2. Child Care
Most likely by the time back-to-school rolls around you've got a child care plan in place. You've probably decided
what type of child care you need and
how much child care you need to fit with your work-at-home schedule. But school has a funny way of messing up the best laid plans.
When your child wants to join after-school clubs and sports, the babysitter you've lined up may not be needed. Or you may need to put one child into after-school care if another has activities, so you don't find yourself driving to the school four times a day. If possible, leave a little flexibility in your child care plans as you head back to school.
3. Morning Routine
On the first days back to school, start 15 minutes earlier than you think you need. Use these
tips to streamline your school morning routine. And if all goes well you can push wake up time a little later once everyone is in a good morning routine.
4. Organization Systems for Schoolwork
Teachers use organization systems in school. There's a place for book bags, a time to copy homework assignments, a folder to bring home notices, a regular day for spelling tests, etc. But when kids get home they may forget how to organize themselves. Don't let them! Setting the tone during the back-to-school time will help keep them organized all year.
Find out how the classroom works. Often during the back-to-school period teachers send home letters explaining their curriculum and homework policies. If not, ask your child, and help him stay on track by using a similar system at home. But if he isn't clear on the details, ask the teacher at back-to-school night or set up a conference.
5. Homework
Routine makes unpleasant things, like homework, easier. Right when kids go back to school, set the stage for successful homework by instituting a regular place and time for homework. Younger students often need an adult to help with homework, so if possible, arrange your schedule so you can be nearby during homework time. But a parent should check older kids' homework too to be sure they understood it. So set up a system for homework that works well for your family and stick to it.
6. Schedules
During the back-to-school month of September, a family's calendar can balloon out of control, as each child signs up for activities. And when that happens so early in the school year, it can be difficult to reign in later. Think carefully about each activity that goes on the calendar. It may be OK to take a break from work to shuttle kids to sports or clubs during a slow period of work, but what happens later if you have a busy season or a new client?
7. Daytime School Events and Volunteering
And it's not just the kids that need to be monitored for over-scheduling. Parents, particularly those who work from home, can find themselves taking on
volunteer jobs or attending
daytime school events. For many, being able to do these things are some of the
benefits of working at home. However, these too must be balanced with work and home responsibilities.
Kids who are active at young age tend to stay active throughout their lives.