Going back to school can be hard on kids, but it can also be hard on parents. Changing your lifestyle and routines is never easy, and jumping through all of the hoops to get your kids ready for the school year is not necessarily easy. Here are ten back to school tips for parents:
- Get your kids to bed on time. It is hard to go from staying up late and sleeping in to rising early. For your child to be awake and alert for school, you should start getting them back on a school year bedtime routine starting a couple weeks before summer ends.
- Make sure your child is ready for the school year academically. Get their testing done, etc. so that you know your child is academically prepared for their upcoming grade level. If you need to, get them a tutor, or work with them yourself to make sure they are reading at the level they should be, etc.
- Get all the paperwork etc. together for registration. You have to have immunization records, up to date, birth certificate, proof of residence or acceptance into the school even though you are outside the boundaries, etc. So, make sure you have them all.
- Save money and set aside a day to do back to school clothing shopping. Kids should have new clothes for the new school year, as it gives them a boost of confidence and helps them fit in with their peers better. So, start saving early, catch sales, and do your best to get them outfitted for a new year.
- Get the school approved supply list and start early shopping for that. Again, if you shop early you can watch for sales and save money.
- Arrange for transportation, car pools, etc. to get kids to and from school. Your child has to get to and from school. Make sure you know how, and have plans, contingencies etc.
- Make sure you have sitters or a plan in place if you are not going to be home when your child gets home from school. If you work, your child may be home from school for a couple hours before you get off, so make sure you have a plan with them, a sitter who will come, or a friend who will keep them at their house until you return home.
- Prepare for lunches at school. Your child has to eat, so either buy supplies for packed lunches, or buy them a lunch pass or card so that they can eat at school.
- Meet your child’s teacher. Get to know the teacher so that they feel comfortable talking to you and together you can ensure your child gets the education they need.
- Have fun with your kids. When they are in school it is more difficult to take the whole family out for a night of fun, so have some fun before they are back in school so you have no regrets about your summer.