Are you ready? Are you nervous? Is this your first year heading to school or are you a veteran now? I consider myself a veteran now that I have a high schooler and a middle schooler, but I still need to get my kids ready the week before – and myself! I’ve got ten ways to get you and your kids ready to get back to school!
1. Set Clocks
Get your clocks set – alarm for Mom and kids – the night before and practice waking up at the “regular” school time at least a few days before school starts so your kids can handle it the first day, or week. Mom, the best thing you can do is get up before the kids. If you wait until the kids have to get up each morning, you’ll be behind yourself. Make it a habit to get up at least a half hour before the kids so you can help them get moving in the morning – it’s the best thing you can do! This means that Mom needs to have a set bedtime too.
2. Bedtime
Speaking of bedtime, your kids need to get to bed {as much as possible} at the same time every night – this is especially true for younger ones.. Set a bedtime and stick to it. Our kids’ elementary school always recommended that they get to bed no later than 8 PM. We tried to take their advice and get them to bed by then, when they were younger. Everyone is happier when they get enough sleep!
3. Lunches
Have a plan for kids’ lunches. If you decide that making everything on Sunday nights works bets for you – or make up small baggies full of crackers and snacks to quickly pop in their lunches – do that. But, have your system figured out and tweak it as you get going.
4. A little shopping
Be sure to find what school supplies your school and kids’ grade requires. If you can get a list a week or two before school starts, you can be ahead of the game. If not, check to see what supplies you have and make a list.
5. Schedule
Have a morning schedule, like this one, to help your kids get everything done they need before school.
6. Special place for HW/school supplies
Whether your kids do homework at their desks or at the kitchen table, have a place set up with the school supplies so that doesn’t become a reason they can’t get going after school.
7. Practice
Spend the week before school starts, or at least a few days before, practicing the morning routine. If you wait until the morning of school, you could have trouble or not get out the door in time!
8. Plan ahead
Write down a plan for the kids to do chores and when. Make a routine for the morning and keep it in their rooms behind their doors and in the kitchen pantry or command center.
9. Label
Be sure you label any and everything that you send to school with your kids – jacket, backpacks, lunch bags, shoes, school supplies! Stuff gets lost, so it helps when it’s labeled to minimize the chances of losing it forever!
10. Setting up
When you have things set up the night before, the morning runs much smoother. Have kids check the weather for the next morning and pick out their clothes so there isn’t that to contend with in the morning.
Getting back to school doesn’t have to be a daunting task, just a good plan with flexibility helps! If you’re looking for more back to school tips, go to Organizing Made Fun and you’ll get yourself even more organized!