Back-to-school tips to start this school year right

As summer comes to an end, it’s time to start planning for the back-to-school season.  We know, we know, it isn’t easy to end your summer fun, and you may want to deny that it’s ending until the very last moment, but we’re here to say you shouldn’t.

Coming up with a plan and marking tasks off of your to-do list will ensure you and your kids will start the school year off right. But how do you get started? You follow our tips, of course!

Get into a school routine

Getting back into a routine isn’t easy when you’ve had a summer full of fun and late nights. It’s hard to convince yourself and your kids that they need to go to sleep earlier and get up sometimes before the sun rises. And while a proper bedtime is important, preparing for school is much more than just your sleep schedule. Here are some ways you can easily get back into your routine:

• Start your sleep schedule early. Get your children on a bedtime and wake-up schedule at least two weeks before school starts.
• Establish a designated homework time and make sure your children give all of their attention to their assignments. Until school starts, have your children start reading books.
• Create a family calendar and have your children help. Put all of your activities on the calendar and continue to do so all year.
• Talk to your kids about their screen time rules and start to reduce their screen time before school starts. Also, make sure they know what is allowed during school days.

Before the first day of school

As the big day approaches, you need to do more than just get into a new routine. You need to make a to-do list. Don’t be overwhelmed because your to-do list may overflow, but conquering that list will be well worth it when the first bell rings. So get your paper and pen ready, and start making your list, but don’t forget these things:

• Visit the school and help your children get a feel for their new environment.
• Share some stories about your school days with your children, and tell them about what they can expect on their first day.
• Get the school supplies list and go shopping or pass it along to your LifeSquire if you don’t have time to shop.
• Create a dedicated homework area that is free from distractions and has all the supplies your child will need.
• Determine what you need for after-school LifeSquire provides school transports so that you won’t have to leave work. If you need a babysitter or after school program, you should research and get that scheduled quickly.
• Establish rules and locations for their school items. Have them put their lunchboxes, backpacks, sports equipment, shoes, and other items in designated areas.
• Hire a tutor to help your child navigate through homework time and strengthen weak areas. We recommend Matchless Learning for all of your tutoring needs.
• Go through their closets and donate items they have outgrown. Replace the discarded articles of clothing with new ones that they may need for the year. Once you get the new items, make sure their closet is color coordinated.
• Create a budget for back-to-school shopping and make sure you stick to it when you shop.

Making school days easier

The day to day will often be a struggle. Each morning, you will never know how you will start your day, your kids will have days that they won’t want to go to school, they will get sick, or they may be so tired they take extra-long to get ready. It’s easier to make it through these unexpected situations by planning. Here are some ways you can make the school days easier:

• Teach your kids how to prioritize their homework assignments by making to-do lists with deadlines. Forgotten assignments will be a thing of the past.
• Have your children pick out their outfits for the next day before bed.
• Get copies of the school lunch menu and decide what days you will be packing lunches.
• Prepare school lunches and snacks the night before. 
• Go through old homework assignments once a month and discard unneeded work.
• Talk openly with your kids about school. Let them express things they love and their worries without judgment.
• Keep night lights, white noise machines, and fans in your children’s rooms for those sleepless nights.
• Encourage school involvement in after-school activities such as clubs and sports.

If you’d rather spend the last few weeks soaking up your free time with your kiddos, (we totally understand) LifeSquire can run your errands and pick up the supplies you need.  We can also handle a lot of your projects so that you have more time to focus on your family. For more information on personal assistant service, click here.