Back-to-School Tips
Can you believe it is almost that time again? Summer is almost ending, and children will soon return to school. Whether elementary, middle, high school or college, there is a process of jumping back into the back-to-school routine. Here are some things I have done over the years that made the transition smoother.
Ease Your Way Into Sleep Schedules
If your children are anything like mine, there is no scheduled bedtime during the summer. Well, except if we must travel the following morning or go to church on Sundays. Other than that, we let the boys enjoy their time out of school. I get them back into their sleeping routine at least two weeks before school starts. MJ usually goes to bed at 9 pm every night, so two weeks before school starts, he goes to bed at 10 pm, and one week before school starts, he will go to bed at 9 pm. This helps with those cranky mornings. Rest is vital for better mental health, increased concentration and memory, a healthier immune system, reduced stress, improved mood, and improved metabolism.
Beat the Crowd for School Supplies
School supplies usually start hitting the shelves in June. These are things that every parent, teacher, or guardian buys before the school year starts. Avoid the crowds when school shopping by heading to Walmart or Target during early mornings, between 6-8 am. These are quiet hours and usually when more school supplies are available due to restocking.
Blend new and old Clothes
If you are anything how I was when I was younger, having a cute new outfit for back to school was a must. What I have done over the years is blended my children’s new clothes with their old clothes so they don’t wear all of their new clothes during the first few weeks of school. You can do this by letting them wear a new outfit on the first day, then something from the previous year the next day. Then repeat. You can also match some new and old pieces, like a new top with an old bottom and vice versa. Doing this allows clothes to be used to their fullest extent and saves money. This became a habit after Khaleb kept saying he had no new school clothes after the first few weeks. Go figure.
Have Those Back-to-School Open-ended Questions Ready
As our children return to school, after-school conversations are inevitable. Asking open-ended questions leads to meaningful conversation instead of just asking, “How was your day?” Here are five back-to-school questions to ask instead of How was School?
What made you happy today?
Who did you sit by in class or at lunch?
If you could change one thing about today, what would it be?
What was the hardest thing for you to do today?
Tell me something today that you didn’t know yesterday.
