Well, we blinked and the summer is getting ready to come to a close. School will be starting back before you know it, so – like it or not – it’s time to prepare. Here are some back-to-school tips to help you save time, money, and hopefully some sanity when the first day of school rolls around.
Get Organized
When preparing for the new school year, it’s always a good idea to start fresh. Clean out the kids’ closets and sell or donate unwanted items. Then arrange their remaining wardrobe neatly to make getting ready on school mornings that much easier. Do the same for the area where they do homework. Make sure it’s uncluttered so they have a place where they can sit down, focus, and stay on task. Make sure backpacks, lunchboxes, water bottles, and other essentials are washed and ready to go.
Stock Up on Supplies
Get a copy of the school’s required supply list and make sure your kids have everything they need to start the year. Make sure you have the ingredients to make their favorite lunches and plenty of leak-proof containers for transporting them. Don’t forget about healthy snacks for after school. If they’re missing any wardrobe staples, look for back-to-school sales and tax-free holidays for extra savings on clothing.
Make a Schedule
It’s a good idea to have a master calendar, whether it’s hanging on the kitchen wall or virtual, where you can keep up with the entire family’s schedules. Look for any conflicts or plans that might make getting from one place to another difficult. Be sure you’ve planned for all transportation, child care, and other logistics so that nothing (or no one) falls through the cracks. You might even want to do a virtual walk-through with your kids to remind them of each day’s scheduled events and what to do if something goes wrong with the plan. Morning and afternoon to-do lists are also great for helping your kids with time management.
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Have Some Last-Minute Fun
Summer’s almost over, so soak it up while you can. Plan a quick getaway or start an end-of-summer tradition that you can continue for years to come. Enjoy these last days, but don’t stress too much about back-to-school. The holiday break will be here before you know it.