Getting my kids ready for a new school year

At least two or three weeks before school starts, I start to prepare my kids for one of the very most important things: Their Education. Although I love to have fun and play with them, I believe very strongly in education and make no exceptions when it comes to school work.

New routines can be a challenge for everyone; however, once the foundation is in place, the routine becomes easy. Two weeks before school starts, I start shifting things back into gear! As a business owner and working mom, people always ask me how I multi-task to get everything done. The answer is simple: Organization, my friends.

Kids don’t want to hear words like “organize” or “schedule” because they sound boring… So we need to incorporate it back into their post-summer break lives and make it fun for them. Talk about the fun things your child will learn, the old friends he’ll see, and the new friends he’ll make. Here are some things that I do to mix everything back together smoothly:

Build up the idea of them entering a new grade. Ask what they think it will be like.  I find that the more they are prepared, the less they are anxious.

Let them choose their own knapsacks, pencil cases, and notebooks. Even if that coveted school supply isn’t on the list, just get it. It will make them more excited to start school again. TRUST ME!

On the home front, start with SLEEP. Move the kids bedtime back to an earlier time. 10 hours of sleep is vital for my kids’ health and growth. Sleep promotes alertness, memory and performance. You do not want a disaster or crank monster in the morning. My husband always says, “How do you wake up smiling and jump right out of bed?” I think it’s in part because I’m a Gemini but definitely the sleep factor too.

Review the calendar. For the next few weeks show your kids all of the exciting end-of-the summer events you have planned. One day we’ll host a back-to-school reunion with old friends. Another day we will go shopping for new kicks, clothes, and bags. We review the school calendar and brainstorm family winter break vacations together. We also jot down ideas for the Birthday Bashes (both of my kids have birthdays that fall before January) and plan to include camp and home friends. I let them know that if they get a good report from the first semester, then we can plan sleepovers.

Establish school day schedules with your children. I display these schedules on calendars in their rooms and in the kitchen so that they are not confused or overwhelmed and know what to expect each day of the week.

1. Fill out the necessary immunization records, and keep them handy.

2. Schedule dental, doctor, immunizations appointments now before things get hectic.

3. Update school emergency contact and health information for the coming year.

4. As you read through all the school information, mark important dates (such as back-to-school night, parent-teacher conferences, and school holidays) on the family calendar.

5. Establish a “get ready the night before” policy. Pick clothes for the next day and pack the backpack every evening before bedtime, and you’ll save precious time in the morning.

This is my shortlist of how I transition my kids from summer to school year. Hope it helps! I’d love to hear your tips as well.

xo,

Sha