25 Back To School Tips ... Are You Ready for the First Day of School?

My first born is about to start kindergarten, and I have been feeling a bit ill-prepared for the realities of school life.  It’s not really the first time she’s been in school; she’s been in preschool for the last couple of years, but only part-time.  Kindergarten seems more like the “real thing” somehow.  I’m sure I’ll be sending her off that first day with a tearful goodbye, but that’s just the start.

I’ve wondered how much time managing her schooling would consume and how I would change or organize my life to get used to this new part of our lives that we’re about to embark on.  I’m the type of person that strives when I have a plan; without one I tend to get flustered and stressed.  Sure, there are times when I can “wing it” and have fun, but this isn’t one of them, and that’s a whole other article.

So off I went in search of some advice from my mom friends who have “been there” and are still there.  The seasoned parents who have provided me with their keys to surviving the school years had some great advice.  “Work harder, not smarter” was the adage I heard a lot. 

1.  An organizer is a must.  Whether you use an electronic one or a paper one to organize yourself, you need to have something to record appointments and phone numbers and you need to carry it with you at all times.  You should have in it the school’s phone number, the number for the bus transportation service (if your child will be taking the bus to school – mine’s not), and numbers for parents of your child’s friends who will be able to help you in a pinch.

2.  Don’t vacation right up until the last day or week before school starts because you need that time to get your child trained to start waking up early and get into a routine.

3. Check with your child’s school before splurging on school supplies.  The school often provides a list of necessary supplies.  Perhaps you have a mom friend whose child needs the same supplies - you can buy in bulk and split the cost to save you both money.  Some items are always needed throughout the year, like pencils and lined paper, so stock up when they go on sale. 

4.  This probably applies to older kids, but worth mentioning here…Cell phones seem to be part of the “supplies” for many kids nowadays.  If you think about it, it could come in handy as a convenient way for your child to contact you if an after school activity get cancelled or something like that.  Consider a prepaid phone to avoid misuse.

5.  Organize everything your child will need for school the night before (older kids can do this themselves).  You can even pack your child’s lunch box the night before with non-perishables – then just add what needs to stay cool with an ice pack in the morning.  Try not to forget to get the ice pack back in the freezer after school – or have a second back-up one already in the freezer just in case.  Of course, a plastic baggie with ice cubes works in a pinch.

6.  Brainstorm with your child about what foods – healthy foods, that is – that they would like to bring to school for lunch and then make yourself a list to refer to.

7.  Stash money somewhere in your child’s backpack – just enough for lunch – just in case you both head to school one day and leave the lunch box behind at home. 

8.  Your child won’t be able to start school or even some activities like Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts without all the necessary vaccinations, so be sure they are up to date.

9.  If getting your child to school involves a commute by car or bus, consider keeping snacks and water in the car.

10. If you plan on giving teachers gifts at holiday time, don’t wait until the last minute and go crazy trying to decide what to get them.  Buy items that would be appropriate when you see them and when you can afford it, then just put them away in a closet and you’ll be set come holiday time.

11. Some schools make it easy to keep abreast of your child’s academic progress with online sites.  Some schools can be accessed online to give you your child’s progress and some even allow you to set it up so that you get alerted if your child’s grades fall below a certain level! 

12. Get involved in your child’s school by joining the PTA or another group.  It will help keep you connected.  Also make sure to get to know your child’s teacher(s); make sure you attend open houses as it’s a great opportunity to gather valuable knowledge about what your child’s daily environment is like and how they are adjusting to it.

13. If your child is about to start at a new school, you should make sure you visit the school with your child at least once before the school year starts.  It’ll help your child feel more comfortable in a new setting.  Many schools have an orientation a few days before the school year starts and you should try and attend it if you can.

14. Plan to make sure you give your child some down time after school if they will be going to school for the first time – some time at the playground perhaps – in order to deal with possible stress from the transition to school life.

15. Make sure that the school has a list of emergency contacts just in case they aren’t able to get a hold of you in the case of an emergency. 

16. If you can, organize a carpool and save gas money.

17. A slow cooker can be a mom’s best friend.  During the school year, it can be challenging to have a nutritious meal ready by the end of the day.  Use the slow cooker to prepare oatmeal the night before and breakfast will be ready for the entire family in the morning.  After you clean it out, use it again for dinner on days that you are pressed for time.  Make extra and freeze some for another day.

18. If your child has any special needs, make sure that all personnel at the school are aware of it.

19. Don’t forget to continue to read at least a few minutes a day with your younger child.  If you have a child in middle or high school, it can be fun to read the same books he or she may be reading. 

20. When appropriate, make sure you talk to your kids about peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, bullies, weapons, strangers, and sex education (with an older child, of course).  Also make sure that your child knows not to pick up needles or let another person’s blood get near open cuts.  This doesn’t only apply to when at school, of course.

21. Give you child plenty of support and rest around test times when they may be feeling anxious.

22. Get to know your kid’s friends and their families.  Be open to gatherings or play dates at your house – you’ll feel better knowing where your child is and what she’s doing. 

23. Make sure homework is done before your child is off to play or watch TV and review the homework with her or him.  That being said, make sure you do allow for some down time between when they come home from school and homework time.  Set up a quiet place for your child to study at.

24. Learning doesn’t only have to take place at school.  Family field trips and projects at home can be both fun and educational – especially nowadays when schools keep cutting back more and more on the “extras” due to budget cuts.

25. Last but not least, make sure that you acknowledge and celebrate your child’s accomplishments throughout the year.