11 Ways to Get Ready for Back to School

1. Bump Up Bedtime
Beginning in August, transition your children’s bedtime by 15 minutes every night until they are waking up as early as their school day morning time.
2 Supplies, Backpacks, Lunchbags
Purchasing your supplies in August usually means saving big on sales as stores are reducing product for the next season… halloween!  Yes, they are already stocking for halloween so take advantage.
3. Plan for the Paperwork
Creating one file per child to keep important papers as well as artwork in advance, saves on losing it during the busy school year. During holiday breaks, go through the folder with your child and keep what’s necessary. At the end of the year, put the file in a keepsake box with room for the years ahead.
4. Avoid Wardrobe Wars
Choose outfits, shoes and all, with your children the night before. Purchasing clothing such as jeans and tops that all work together makes it easy for selecting outfits either by mom, dad or the kids.
Also great for the little ones who insist on dressing themselves.

5. Take Time to Transition
Don’t let the school year sneak up on you. When you’re scheduling your last summer vacation, use one of those days off work to get your house in order for what’s ahead.
6. Set up a Storage System
Clean your coat closet or streamline your mudroom to create space for the kids to store their backpacks, coats, hats/mitts, sports and music equipment, and other back-to-school gear.

7. Organize the School Supplies/Work Station
Take inventory of last year’s school supplies to see what can be used for the upcoming school year. Then new and old supplies should be kept in a storage space near where the children do their homework.

8. Digital Reminders
The school year agenda will come home with your children in early September.
Use this time to input all events and dates in to your favourite digital calendar such as Google Calendar, iCal or iCloud. Don’t forget to set reminders the day before the event!

9. Communicate with the Kids
A dry-erase board placed near the kids coats and gear is a great way to remind them of that day or weeks schedule before they head off to school.  Also a great way for parents to stay ontop of school happenings with this reminder.

10. Do Less 
Get the kids in the habit of hanging their coats, organizing their backpacks and homework, and putting stuff away.  It’s a great way to prepare for the expectations and responsibilites that come with school and makes morning routine less stressful.
11. Remember You
Embrace the night-before plan by pre-selecting your clothes and pack work papers and a healthy snack before bed so you’re ready to roll in the morning!

Steve Pacheco – Sales Representative
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