Back to School-Part 2 Systems and routines to help you this school year
A new school year can bring excitement for you and your child as they begin a new grade level or a new milestone. As we roll into another school I wanted to give you some tools to help you stay organized. From homework and extra-curricular schedules to deadlines and events, there is a lot to keep up with. These tools will help you whether it's your child's first year in school or their last year in high school.
It's also important to set up routines that will help everyone- from getting out the door in the morning to completing homework in the evening. The information below will help you get routines in place to avoid daily stress.
DAILEY ROUTINES
THE NIGHT BEFORE
- Pack your lunch with non-perishables (have your child do this as you are preparing dinner).
- Have perishable food prepared and ready to grab from the fridge in the morning.
- Choose clothes and shoes for the next day.
- Set bags in a pick up zone near the door.
- Start the bedtime routine and have your kids go to bed at the same time each night (no screen time before bedtime).
- Set the alarm (it's never too early to have them wake-up to an alarm)
THE MORNING OF
- Wake up at the same time each morning
- Get dressed
- Eat a good breakfast
- Grab food from fridge and add to lunchbag
When you follow the nighttime routine mornings are less stressful and getting out the door on time is easier.
AFTER SCHOOL
Depending on your family's situation, whether they go home right after school or go to daycare, the after school routine could look different.
Extra-curricular schedules also play a part in your evening routine but you know your child's needs and most likely there will be homework and dinner to take care of.
Make it a habit to ask your child if there is anything that was brought home for you to look at. If the teacher sends home a daily folder be sure to look through it each day. Also, check email or communication apps on a regular basis for information being sent home from the school or your child's teacher.
HOMEWORK
- Have a quiet place and tools for your child to complete homework.
- While waiting for one child at practice, your other children can do their homework.
- Carry a bag of school supplies in your vehicle. Include pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, crayons, markers, paper, ruler, scissors and glue sticks.
CALENDAR
Using a calendar will help you keep track of all of the activities your child has along with appointments for the family. Looking at the calendar on Sunday avoids surprises and allows you to plan out your week. Use a whiteboard and place it where everyone can see it so all family members know what is coming up.
INCOMING PAPER
Throughout the year, there will be papers your child brings from school. Some will be work you want to keep as memorabilia. Other paperwork will be important information you might need to refer to throughout the school year and then there will be paper that requires immediate action. A proven way to keep up with all of it and being able to find it when you need it is to sort it into three containers- FILE, REFERENCE or TAKE ACTION. This will help you avoid placing it in a random stack on the counter never to find it when you are looking for it.
The FILE container is for papers that you want to keep long-term. These will be filed in the proper place for looking at later!
Papers that you want to REFERENCE might include details on an upcoming meeting, schedules, school activities and teacher/class information.
TAKE ACTION are items that you need to take care of very soon or right now. This can include paying for pictures, ordering the school t-shirt, fundraisers, and permission slips.
ON A DIFFERENT NOTE
If you have a senior in high school there will be more to keep up with as they prepare to transition to their next phase. This could be college, trade school or the military. Another way to keep up with this type of paperwork is to use a binder with dividers. College bound and trade school students will have financial aid/FAFSA, scholarship applications, acceptance letters, letters of recommendations and transcripts to keep up with along with usernames and passwords. Something else to consider is filing paperwork that will allow you as the parent granting you permission to view records and make decisions on their behalf if the situation ever arises. Once your child turns 18 years old they are considered an adult and you are no longer allowed to look at their records without their permission. This is an important conversation to have with your senior.
WISHING YOU A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR.
IF STAYING ORGANIZED IS A STRUGGLE I CAN HELP YOU SET UP SYSTEMS THAT WORK FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. JUST CLICK THE PINK BUTTON BELOW AND I WILL CONTACT YOU.