Ah, it’s that time of year again when moms are pulling their hair out or jumping with joy — or both! Yep, it's back-to-school time! If you're like many moms, you probably have a lot to do to prepare the kids for their first day. This year, take the stress out of back-to-school prep and work with this plan:
Making Back to School Memories
★ If you have more than one child, consider shopping for back-to-school clothes with one child at a time. There is nothing worse than making your little boy sit and wait while his sister tries on outfit after outfit, or the other way around. Children tend to behave better when they have one-on-one time, and you'll likely create some special memories along the way.
★ Have a budget in mind for what you want to spend on each child for back-to-school items. Budgets keep you from going overboard on school supplies and outfits. Coming home and realizing you spent an outrageous amount of money on back-to-school shopping is never a good way to start the year.
★ Sit down with each child and make a list of supplies and clothes they'll need before setting foot into a store. Many schools either send a list of supplies that your child needs for the classroom, or they post it online on the school website. Lists are your friend this time of year.
★ Stock up on school supplies as early as possible. If you wait for the last minute, many stores may be out of stock by the time you get there. Also, keep an eye out for back-to-school sales at big-box retailers. You can often buy basic items like crayons and pencils at seriously reduced rates. You may even want to stock up on some extras to have fresh supplies at home.
★ Ease back into a school year-friendly sleep schedule about two weeks before school starts. If you wait till the night before school starts to send your summer night owls to bed at a decent hour, you'll likely encounter some serious tears. Plus, it may be hard for your child to fall asleep, leaving them exhausted for their first day.
★ To ease fears and anxiety, schedule time to meet the teachers before the first day of school. Your kids will feel more at ease, the teacher will know more about your child when you meet them directly, and first-day jitters will be alleviated for the most part.
Check Out These News Articles About Back to School Stress
As the school year approaches, many news outlets are beginning to publish articles with advice for parents. Pasadena Weekly is no exception; on July 20, 2023, they put out an article with helpful tips for parents transitioning their children back to school. One of the tips they covered that we didn't is to simplify school lunches. They advise buying products that can be put into your child's lunchbox without any preparation. While preparing lunches from scratch is great, sometimes mornings or evenings get busy and you just don't have the time.
The Seattle Times published an article on July 16, 2023, detailing their School Supply Drive fundraising efforts. The Seattle Times has fundraised for several charities that offer low- or no-cost school supplies to low-income families for years. Back to school shopping can quickly get expensive, especially if you have multiple children. Having the aid of a charity can be of great help to many families, who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford the supplies they need to provide their child with for their education.
On July 19, 2023, Ladue News published an article on how parents can support their children's mental health as they go back to school. Back to school can be just as stressful for children as for parents, especially as children age and face additional problems that they didn't when they were younger. The article detailed how children can be stressed about a number of things, from bullying to forming friendships to fears about a certain class's difficulty. When parents notice their child struggling, they should communicate with them and be supportive. If the problem is bigger than they can handle, they should seek help and support for their child as soon as possible.
The days are long but the years go by fast, so make sure you all take time to enjoy this yearly ritual. Celebrate the first day of school with a treat or special activity once the kids come home. You'll all remember school days with fond memories when you start off relaxed and ready.
RELATED: Your Ultimate Guide to School Supplies for Kindergarten Through Fourth Grade
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