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The start of the school year is imminent.  Our local schools begin on August 12th!  If you are in a state of panic because you don’t feel ready to tackle a new school year, just follow these easy steps and we’ll have you there in no time.

Getting ready for the school year is a team effort.  No one can sit on the bench for this one.   Everyone is more willing to help when they’ve just had their favorite foods.  Time to order pizza!  While you are lulling them into tummy happiness, close the deal with ice cream.  Then, discuss goals everyone in the family has for the new school year.  Talk about how all must work together for even one family member to reach their goal.  Go, Team!

Now is the time to get all kid and adult activities out on the table.  Create a family calendar—paper, dry erase or digital—where everyone has access.  Using color-coding, add all actives to the calendar.  Now, you can create a routine for each day of who’s dropping off, who are picking up, which nights are dinner in vs dinner out, etc.

Tax-free weekend is August 10 & 11.  Before you head out to shop or order online, best to see what fits and what doesn’t, what’s over worn and what’s still useful. Are last year’s backpacks shot?  Where are all the school supplies?  Shopping your own storage spaces to round up what you have in each category will save you a ton of moolah & time.  You won’t be piling new items on top of still usable duplicates. Uncluttered closets and drawers make it easier for kids to find what they need to get out the door. 

This is key!  When something doesn’t have a home, it is lost when you need it most.  Agree on homes for items.  You might want your kids to keep their backpacks in their rooms.  They might think the backpack’s home is in the kitchen.  Come to an agreement to save your sanity & reduce conflict.

Embrace the End of Summer, but also start now to prep for school to start. It will make the return to the fall schedule less painful.  The first two days aren’t bad; adrenaline will keep you going.  But by the 3rd & 4th days & the 2nd week, the routine can become hectic, leaving you so tired you want to die.  Start early bedtimes a week before school starts.  You’ll thank me later.

School memories should not be ones of racing around looking for shoes, clean clothes, homework & signed parent papers.  They should be of successes, new friends & fun, new experiences.  Start now at the top of the list to make sure you and your kids are ready for an A+ school year.