Before the kids head back to school I like to be prepared. Not just with the shopping an supplies, but making sure that we are all organized and ready to start a new routine. It is so helpful to have a game plan when it comes to lunches, homework, and staying on task in the mornings so I’ve put together my favorite back to school tips to stay organized and on task.
Back to School Tips and Tricks
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
On the first day of school you must take the obligatory photo of your child. Weather in front of the house, the school or with the child’s teacher, print out these cute chalkboard signs for your child to hold in the picture to remember which year it was taken.
Another fun idea is to have your child fill out a first day of school interview. This printable interview also has a spot to paste your child’s picture. Keep them all through the years and make a fun book when they graduate to look back on how they have grown.
Have a tradition for the first day back. We like to go out for donuts for breakfast – it’s something my mom did with me and now I do with my children. The tradition doesn’t have to be a big idea, it could just be a simple treat or special activity.
ORGANIZATION
Staying organized is a must, especially if you have several children that are school aged. To stay on top of everything that comes with a new school year, create a family command center. This central location will keep track of all of your child’s activities and an easy place for all the family members to find what they need.
A homework station is another great idea. Keeping everything they need in one central location makes sure they stay on track and can easily get their homework completed quickly and without all of the fuss.
To keep your mornings stress free print out a morning routine checklist. With a checklist, your child can be responsible for making sure everything is completed. I love the morning checklist, without it, it is a constant struggle and myself nagging and reminding them over and over again to get everything completed.
LUNCHES
Packing lunches is definitely my weakness. I get bored with the same thing over and over again, and I’m sure the kids do too! It is so much easier if you have a month’s worth of lunches pre-planned out.
I also like to be prepared with the proper tools. The lunch box must haves include a thermal lunch tote, thermos containers to keep foods warm, reusable water bottle, and sandwich/snack containers.
For kids that pack their own lunches, a great idea is to have a handy worksheet on the fridge to remind them to pack something from each of the healthy food categories.
Don’t forget the notes! Every so often I add a fun note to the lunch boxes. You can print them off and have them ready to toss in their pack – a fun surprise when they open up their lunch!
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