As a Wife, Mother, Executive and GoGirl the word “busy” does not quite describe my life style!
People often ask me “How do you keep up?” and the answer is really simple … I keep it simple, maximize my time and I stay organized. Now that might seem a little easier than said for some – so I thought I would give you a quick view into how I get prepared to send my two children off to school.
For those of you who are list makers, here is GoApril’s Top Ten Back-to-School Recommendations:
- Bulk buy items you know you will need all year – i.e., sandwich bags, snacks that will keep, envelopes for everything that has to go back and forth through backpack express.
- Take one day out of the month and make bulk meals you can freeze for easy, nutritious heat-and-eat dinners. This saves me a ton of time and stress, keeping meal times simple and ensuring my kids aren’t eating junk. This means the only shopping I do through the week is for milk, fruit, veggies and anything fresh I need.
- Make a calendar with a pre-set block for homework time, meetings, practices, games and extra activities – this way you know if you can fit “one more” thing in. Don’t take on more then you know you will be able to do well. It’s amazing how quickly that calendar gets full! Live by the calendar – this way all family members know what is expected of them on what days – it eliminates a lot of confusion.
- Pre-arrange all before – and after-care programs and go over in detail what they offer. For instance, if they offer a “study buddy program” you could eliminate a tutor in the evening, or if they have a dance company, like “webby dance,” come to the school you won’t have to go to a class in the evenings. Also try and pre arrange as many car pools as possible it will keep you from going crazy running around town and it’s better for the environment. Also if it’s the same program you used in the summer, make sure your kids have all of the necessary things going into the fall. i/e. warmer clothes, hand sanitizer, wipes etc.
- Make a chore list – don’t take all of the housework on yourself. All kids, whatever the age, need to chip in to keep the house picked up and clean. In addition to school and good grades as their main job, they should be expected to pick up at least one household job they are not paid to do. Like – putting their clothes away neatly, loading and unloading the dishwasher, dusting the house, always having rooms picked up, etc.
- Parents and children need to be on the same page with bed times, shower/bath schedules and a review of what is in their backpacks daily. This way there are no surprises when they get up and say they need to bring two dozen cookies to school today or that a major book report/project is due. Being on the same page prior to climbing in bed helps kids sleep better knowing they are prepared for their school/work day.
- Pick out clothes and know where shoes are the NIGHT BEFORE. I can’t tell you how many mornings we have run around looking for ONE SHOE!
- Don’t go to bed with a dirty kitchen – make sure the kitchen is ready for breakfast and packing lunches the next day. Nothing makes me more frustrated than adding to an already messy situation. Pre-set the coffee on a timer so it’s ready when you get up and you will be ready to prepare a nutritious hot breakfast for your kids. I do a lot of instant hot oatmeal, toast, eggs in the microwave, etc. It doesn’t take a lot of time to start your kids off right in the am.
- Make sure your child has a homework log – you can buy them at an office supply store. Kids can fill it out at the end of each class. This way you know what you have to accomplish each evening.
- Make sure you have established contact with your kids’ teachers. How will you be communicating throughout the school year – via e-mail, website, phone or backpack express.
These are just a few tips that allow my family to sit down at the dinner table every night, reconnect with each other and discuss what’s happening and get a game plan together for the next day.
When I was writing this, I was also watching my sister’s girls and I asked my 7-year-old niece for her Top Ten Recommendations for a student getting ready to go to school. She shared her perspective and tips:
Zoe’s Top Ten Going Back-to-School Recommendations
- Choose the right backpack
- Wear the right clothes for you
- Make sure you have all the right school supplies you need for your class
- Always be prepared for something unexpected
- Be nice to people so you can make more friends for the school year
- Pick the right shoes just in case you step in a puddle and lose some parts of your shoes
- Make sure you pay attention to your teacher(s)
- Don't be distracted by anybody or anything in your classroom
- Make sure you know what bus to ride
- Set your alarm and have a good breakfast
Now that you know all these facts have a great school year and I will send updates and write tips and highlight my 3rd Grade School Year “Zoe on the Go.” Signing Out.
