Can you believe it is time to say goodbye to the holidays and hello to a new school year? We have some handy tips on how to prepare for the new school year.
Getting your family ready to return to school is a tough gig. No one wants to give up pyjama days, lazy mornings and fun in the sun for alarm clocks, homework, and routine. Here are some tips on how to get your family prepared for the new school year, hopefully with the minimum amount of fuss and tantrums.
Being prepared for the new school year means that your family is less anxious and more comfortable about returning to school. Here are some great tips on how to prepare for the new school year.
Buy your school supplies in advance
Some schools provide school supplies that you purchase online and have delivered to home. Other schools provide a list of school supplies that your family is responsible for purchasing before starting school. You can either shop online in the comfort of home or your office. Just remember to leave enough time for shipping before school begins.
Meal and school lunch planning
A huge way to save time and effort is to plan meals for the week ahead. When you sit down at the start of the week and map out what you will have for dinner each night, you are not left scrambling when the hungry kids are demanding dinner.
The same goes for lunch box planning. This great lunch box planner by The Organised Housewife will have you packing lunch like a boss! It helps you set out all the meals and snacks you need to pack each day for a healthy, filling lunchbox.
Organise outfits and school bags
By now most parents will have seen the hacks for cube shelves being turned into school bag storage and an organisation station for all things school-related. It is a great way to keep everything you need to make the school year smooth and efficient in one place.
Don’t forget to label
Label, label, label! You do not want all those new school items from uniforms and hats to lunch boxes and bags to go missing. Make sure you label everything your child will be wearing or taking to school.
Planning is life
The school terms are crazy busy. Between homework, extracurricular activities, appointments and all your other commitments, it can be hard to keep track of who is doing what and when. This is where planners are your best friend.
A wall planner, such as this amazing one from Blueberry Co is a great way to keep track of your family activities and commitments. Put it up on your wall or fridge, where each family member can see it. A calendar on your phone or a physical planner for your handbag is also a great idea. This way you can jot down anything whilst you are out and about.
Don’t forget to book in that extra help for before and after school care
Before school starts back, don’t forget to organise any extra help you may need with before and after school care or drop-offs and pickups. It can be hard balancing school hours with work, so sometimes you will need to book in family or friends to help, or even before and after school care.
Start your morning school schedule the last week of holidays
Don’t leave it until the first day of school to kickstart the school routine. Aim for a week or so before the end of holidays to make bedtimes earlier, wake your children at the time they would need to be up for school and set regular meal times.
Talk about heading back to school
When you talk about heading back to school you can help your child get used to the idea of starting back. Make sure you keep the conversation positive and focused on how much fun it will be to see their friends again, what new things they can learn and the cool new school items such as bags, lunchboxes or pencil case.
When you take the time to create positive thoughts and to plan for the beginning of the new school year, the transition from holidays to routined school days should be a lot easier.
As hard as it can be to get organised, it does make the year run smoother.
