Transitions are less painful when you ease into them, so don’t wait until the last minute to get prepared for back to school. All of the sleeping in and free time to do whatever you wanted this summer is almost over. I always looked forward to fall and a new school year, but it can be bittersweet, whether your child is entering kindergarten, their last year of high school or going off to college. Your role changes depending on what stage your child is in so be flexible. Whatever age your children are, they will never be that age again so put some realistic routines in place and then relax and enjoy it!
Use this checklist to start school organized and confident. About 2 weeks before school starts, talk to your children about your expectations for the new year. Be sure to get their input!
Set the Tone for the year:
Teach them to be self reliant and accountable for their decisions
Even if they have to suffer negative consequences when they fail to do so
Encourage and praise them when they demonstrate responsibility
Use to do lists and stickees as reminders
Be empathetic but not a fixer when they have problems … let them figure it out on their own
Offer guidance in the form of questions for them to consider
Traditions: new school outfit, special breakfast, take a picture
Adjust bedtimes: go to bed earlier
Appointments: make all doctor, dental, sports physicals, haircut appointment
Calendars: I use a large calendar on my refrigerator to keep track of all activities for the year. I add all parties, appointments, projects, testing dates, picture dates, holidays off etc. as soon as they are known. My daughter knows to check the calendar BEFORE she schedules anything herself. I also put recurring reminders in Cozi, www.cozi.com which remind me and my daughter via our phones. Get in the habit of checking your calendar often … first thing in the morning and last thing at night for the next day. Color coding each family member also works well.
Shopping: clothes, shoes, backpacks, back to school supplies, lunchbox components, etc
Before you shop: go through closets and donate anything too small or throw out anything worn out
Get a special outfit for the first day of school
Make a list before you go <check school supply lists on school website>
Expectations: both yours and theirs …
o Have them write down what they would like to have happen for them this year … introduce them to the idea of goal setting
o Write down your own goals for the next 4 months as well
o Work up your routines for the school year: before school, after school, before bed
o Make a list of everything that needs to happen in order for your kids to be ready for the school day
ü Lay out clothes the night before
ü Decide when they will take their shower: at night or in the morning
ü Determine a wake up time that doesn’t make them feel rushed <allow makeup application time>
ü Fit in time for their chores … it builds independence and taking responsibility
ü Teach your kids that structure and routine are not four letter words
ü Make an effort to sit down at the dinner table to share meals
Launch Pad: near the front door where they gather their things for the next day so there is no last minute craziness in the morning
Sports activities: be sure to pre-pack everything needed the night before … wash clothes as needed
Homework station: create a special place with supplies as needed … have healthy snacks available
Limit computer and TV time until all homework is done
Encourage them to break down projects into easily manageable steps rather than waiting until the last minute
Ask your students if they have homework … do not automatically believe them when they say no
Reading: be sure they have read the books on their summer reading list
Breakfast: at least on the first day of school, I like to make a special breakfast … then have easy to prepare healthy foods so they can make their own
Lunch: decide if they will buy lunch at school or take one from home
Plan 5-10 healthy lunches and rotate them … have the food on hand
Be sure to tell them what snacks are for lunchboxes only
Let them choose a menu for the week and let them make their own lunches … pack a water bottle
Papers: avoid clutter buildup by adding things to your calendar as soon as you get papers from school then discarding the actual papers. I have a notebook with plastic sleeve for any papers I need to keep for easy retrieval regarding my daughter <grading, expectations, rules, etc>. It makes it easy if you have all the relevant information for filling out school forms and information sheets here as well <doctor, dentist, social security information etc>.
· Before the new papers come in: go through all of last year’s papers if you have not already done so
Tips for younger kids: label everything in case it gets lost
New School: take a tour before the first day of school so it is not so strange
School involvement: plan to attend open houses and meet the teachers … get e-mail addresses and contact numbers for all teachers in case you have concerns during the school year … join the PTA … volunteer if you can … become a room parent … attend parent-teacher conferences
Enjoy the last days of summer: have fun … plan an outing … cherish meaningful conversations and set aside time to allow them to happen <don’t force them>. I have found that a good way for this is while playing card or board games.
Use this checklist to start school organized and confident. About 2 weeks before school starts, talk to your children about your expectations for the new year. Be sure to get their input!
Set the Tone for the year:
Teach them to be self reliant and accountable for their decisions
Even if they have to suffer negative consequences when they fail to do so
Encourage and praise them when they demonstrate responsibility
Use to do lists and stickees as reminders
Be empathetic but not a fixer when they have problems … let them figure it out on their own
Offer guidance in the form of questions for them to consider
Traditions: new school outfit, special breakfast, take a picture
Adjust bedtimes: go to bed earlier
Appointments: make all doctor, dental, sports physicals, haircut appointment
Calendars: I use a large calendar on my refrigerator to keep track of all activities for the year. I add all parties, appointments, projects, testing dates, picture dates, holidays off etc. as soon as they are known. My daughter knows to check the calendar BEFORE she schedules anything herself. I also put recurring reminders in Cozi, www.cozi.com which remind me and my daughter via our phones. Get in the habit of checking your calendar often … first thing in the morning and last thing at night for the next day. Color coding each family member also works well.
Shopping: clothes, shoes, backpacks, back to school supplies, lunchbox components, etc
Before you shop: go through closets and donate anything too small or throw out anything worn out
Get a special outfit for the first day of school
Make a list before you go <check school supply lists on school website>
Expectations: both yours and theirs …
o Have them write down what they would like to have happen for them this year … introduce them to the idea of goal setting
o Write down your own goals for the next 4 months as well
o Work up your routines for the school year: before school, after school, before bed
o Make a list of everything that needs to happen in order for your kids to be ready for the school day
ü Lay out clothes the night before
ü Decide when they will take their shower: at night or in the morning
ü Determine a wake up time that doesn’t make them feel rushed <allow makeup application time>
ü Fit in time for their chores … it builds independence and taking responsibility
ü Teach your kids that structure and routine are not four letter words
ü Make an effort to sit down at the dinner table to share meals
Launch Pad: near the front door where they gather their things for the next day so there is no last minute craziness in the morning
Sports activities: be sure to pre-pack everything needed the night before … wash clothes as needed
Homework station: create a special place with supplies as needed … have healthy snacks available
Limit computer and TV time until all homework is done
Encourage them to break down projects into easily manageable steps rather than waiting until the last minute
Ask your students if they have homework … do not automatically believe them when they say no
Reading: be sure they have read the books on their summer reading list
Breakfast: at least on the first day of school, I like to make a special breakfast … then have easy to prepare healthy foods so they can make their own
Lunch: decide if they will buy lunch at school or take one from home
Plan 5-10 healthy lunches and rotate them … have the food on hand
Be sure to tell them what snacks are for lunchboxes only
Let them choose a menu for the week and let them make their own lunches … pack a water bottle
Papers: avoid clutter buildup by adding things to your calendar as soon as you get papers from school then discarding the actual papers. I have a notebook with plastic sleeve for any papers I need to keep for easy retrieval regarding my daughter <grading, expectations, rules, etc>. It makes it easy if you have all the relevant information for filling out school forms and information sheets here as well <doctor, dentist, social security information etc>.
· Before the new papers come in: go through all of last year’s papers if you have not already done so
Tips for younger kids: label everything in case it gets lost
New School: take a tour before the first day of school so it is not so strange
School involvement: plan to attend open houses and meet the teachers … get e-mail addresses and contact numbers for all teachers in case you have concerns during the school year … join the PTA … volunteer if you can … become a room parent … attend parent-teacher conferences
Enjoy the last days of summer: have fun … plan an outing … cherish meaningful conversations and set aside time to allow them to happen <don’t force them>. I have found that a good way for this is while playing card or board games.
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