I know “Back to School” is a phrase you’ve been dreading – or secretly looking forward to 😉 – since the last day of class in June. It doesn’t have to be super stressful. With a little pre-planning and organizing, you can send your darlings back to school with minimal fuss. Here are 5 tips for next-to-stress-free back to school prep!
1. Shop early and avoid the insanity.
Most of you have school supply lists already (or they are available on your school website) and the stores have rolled out their back to school sections and sales. Preparing early doesn’t make the summer end faster, it just means you can enjoy the last few weeks knowing you’re ready and have avoided the craziness of shopping during the last week of August.
2. Create a Supply Stash
While you’re back to school shopping, assemble a stash of markers, pencil crayons, glue, poster board, construction paper and other craft supplies so that when your child tells you at 8pm that they have a poster due the next morning morning, you’ve got the basics covered. No freaking out required.
3. Take a look at the Chore List
We do too much for our kids. Amiright? It starts out because they actually can’t do things, but as they get older, it’s sometimes seems easier to continue to do tasks for them to get it done faster or better – even when that child is fully able to perform the task themself.
Since your kids are a year older since last back-to-school season, it’s the perfect time to consider new chores or responsibilities they can do on their own. An 8-year-old can make their own lunch, and even younger children are capable of tidying and keeping their items organized. Think about how your kids can exhibit more independence… and as a bonus, take some to-do’s off of your list.
4. Set a routine and Stick to it
Set bedtimes appropriately and wake-up alarms as necessary to get everyone where they need to be on time. Pack lunches the evening before to save time and stress in the morning. Pack school bags and lay out clothes (and find shoes!) before bed. Especially if your routine from last year could use a bit of tweaking, be honest with yourselves about what you can achieve and then commit. Make it happen!
5. Lunches (insert groan here)
Lunches don’t have to be a terrible chore. If your child is old enough, get them to help you or give them guidelines and let them pack it themselves. Thinking a little outside the box can make lunch packing a bit more fun and less repetitive. Try creating a list of main courses (that aren’t just sandwiches), fruits and vegetables, snacks, desserts and drinks. Choose several while you’re shopping for the week and then mix and match for lunch box variety.
And lastly, remember that going back to school can be stressful for your child too. Whether they are just moving up a grade, or starting at a new school, reminding them that you’re there to help is so important. Showing them a bit of extra love and support will go a long way to making the Back To School transition easier on them too 🙂
In the mad rush of fall and back to school, booking your fall family portrait session can easily get overlooked! Let’s check it off your list today!
% Tips for Back to School Prep from Edmonton photogapher, redwagon photography. Specializing in fall family pictures in Edmonton and surrounding areas including but not limited to St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain.
