Best Tips - Back to School

[ReneeW]

I can't believe that we're a week into August. Soon my kiddos will be heading back to school--yikes! Got any back-to-school tips for me? What are your favorite ways to help ease your kids into the school year, transitions that are helpful, tricks of the trade etc.? I have a second grader and preschooler, and I know that the rest of August will fly by so I need to get ideas now if possible. TIA!

[nevaehsmom327]

Great idea to bring up here. DD started a new school last year, so it was very weird going into a new school, new teachers. The one thing I wish I would have done last year is go to open house. So that is one thing we WILL for sure be doing this year to get her supplies into class, and to meet her teacher.

[sharon]

Depending on your child's temperament consider NOT talking about it too much. Some kids get more anxious the more you talk about it.

We minimized scheduling of other things, esp when our son started K as that was going to be a big adjustment for him. We try hard to avoid after school plans and definitely keep Sunday evenings mellow and on schedule. That's not always possible depending on when the holidays start, but even with that we say no to everything that isn't a holiday celebration and try to pace ourselves even with those.

[ReneeW]

We're going to get school supplies this week ... ugh. It sure does add up and get expensive quickly!! (And this is just the classroom supplies, not even clothes yet!!)

I've been having my 7YO do a little homework here and there this summer, so hopefully that will help her transition go smoothly. I'm trying not to talk too much about going back to school because I want to stay in summer mode as long as possible -- while also getting somewhat mentally prepared for the change ahead. It's a fine line.

[sharon]

Yes, it really can be a fine line.

We don't buy school supplies for my son's school which I LOVE. But we always sponsor a child through Operation Backpack.

We'll buy one new kippah - I made a deal with my son that if he brings home all the kippot we send (they apparently lose them so they have you send in 5 or 6) I will buy him a new one each year. He likes the more expensive ones, so I bought him one for K (and he already had a nice one for home). So far, he has a perfect record and for K and 1 brought home all. So now he has 2 of the kind he likes and he can pick out a third.

He has a lot of clothes that still fit. And we just bought dress clothes in the spring so those should be good for the holidays. I think we just need a couple pairs of sweatpants and he is set.

[lilmermaid]

You really need to follow Karen's Creative Couponing.com blog to know when all the deals are for Back to School supplies! Also Do Not wait until the last few weeks before school to buy supplies! There won't be any good deals and sometimes they don't even have what you might need!
It also helps spread out the cost by watching the sales every week.

[nevaehsmom327]

We already did all of our supply shopping about 2 weeks ago. Clothes shopping my mom and I hit up old navy last weekend...they had a sale of $5 shirts and $10 pants so we stocked up for all the girls.

DD is excited to go back, she keeps asking who her teacher is, and when she gets to meet them. I have a feeling this won't be such a tough transition for her.

[angel22]

We saved what we could from last year then bought the majority of the rest of supplies off of DD1's school list already for this year. I'm just waiting for her teacher assignment so that I can go buy the rest of the items! (Each teacher for each grade requires specific "extra" supplies.) DD2 doesn't really need any supplies and DD3 isn't in school yet but she has been looking through the ads figuring out which backpack and folders she wants! LOL!
As for clothes, my girls still fit into most of what they wore last year so I won't have to get them too many things and when I do it'll be on an as needed basis.

[ReneeW]

Thanks for the tips -- I'm totally going to check out that coupon site for sure.

One of my FB friends has her kiddo starting school today. I think they live in Indiana, but I was like ... What day is it? My calendar only says August 8! That's crazy! I guess they could be doing the all-year-round school. I had friends in North Carolina whose kids went year-round with like 4 weeks off in the summer and 4 weeks off around Christmas.

[angel22]

As for preparedness, my girls are excited to restart so talking about school isn't an issue here. What we're doing is trying to get sleep schedules back on school time instead of summer time. Not that I allowed them to change much, but still.

[lilmermaid]

Creative Couponing is on FB too!

I have friend who started today in Colorado too!

My DDs are also excited to go back to school. I also need to get them back to a good sleep schedule but won't start that for a few more weeks. I'm going to try a staggered bedtime this year since DD2 needs so much more sleep than DD1. Wish me luck!

[sharon]

I think down south they often start back in early to mid august. I'm not sure why. Is it starting to get cooler down there by then? But hotter in May and June? Just guessing.

As for school shopping - I'm apparently the meanest mom ever because I said no to a new backpack and other kids get a new one every year.

[angel22]

Nope Sharon, same here! DD1 got a new backpack last year (for 1st grade) but she ruined it so I made her use the same one from Kindergarten. This year she will also be using that one. DD2 will also be using her same backpack from last year. Though, in defense of that, they really aren't very hard on them in preschool! =)

[ReneeW]

My kids don't get a new backpack every year -- so far we've gotten two years out of every backpack, yay! Those backpacks are way too expensive.

[lilmermaid]

Unless I'm buying an really, really expensive backpack that should withstand the use for a year my kiddos get a new one! The cheapo $12 ones just can't make it through all wear and tear of the winter gear for us.