It’s that time of year that has moms and dads doing a happy dance while kids are singing the blues.
You know what we’re talking about.
It’s back to school time baby!
While you may be ready to pack that lunch and wave your kids off to the bus stop, we all know there are many things to do to get ready for the big day and to make sure the year starts off right.
Let’s take a look at what should be on your to-do list.
- Get your children’s appointments made and done. Whether it’s a haircut appointment, doctor’s appointment or dentist appointment, try to squeeze them in before the start of the school year. If you haven’t scheduled necessary doctor’s appointments it may be too late now, but you can probably get that haircut in. You want your child to look good the first day of school, right?
Start rolling back bedtime. This isn’t going to get rave reviews from your kids but it will make going to bed and waking up easier once school starts. Seven to five days before the first day of school, start rolling back bedtime to where it is during the school year. This will gradually get the kids used to going to bed and getting up earlier. If you try to do it too quickly, you’re going to end up with cranky kids, which means you’re not going to be in the best mood either.- Create a homework zone. Doing homework on the couch isn’t going to cut it. Before school starts decide where homework is going to be done. Make sure this is a quiet space with room for books, a laptop, or whatever else will be needed.
- Stock up on healthy snacks. We all know kids can eat all day, every day. Add school in the mix and it’s feeding time at the zoo 24/7. Don’t be caught with an empty fridge and hungry tummies. Stock up on healthy snacks so your children will have plenty of good things to eat to bring to school and a variety for when they get home.
- Get closets ready. The worst thing is to open your child’s closet thinking that an outfit is going to fit only to find out their pants look like they’re preparing for a flood! Do yourself a favor and avoid headaches and arguments by going through the closets before school starts. Take out anything that doesn’t fit or is out of season. Have any new school clothes clean and ready to go. This way your child will know exactly what’s available to wear every day. Here’s a bonus tip…you can take all of those clothes and shoes that don’t fit to a local consignment shop and make a few bucks!
Despite all of your prepping, you may still hit a few bumps in the back-to-school road. Just remember, you’re not alone! There’s a mom next door or down the street whose child won’t go to bed or is complaining they have “nothing” to wear.
Written by: Kristina Cappetta
Edited & Designed by: Christina Denham
My name is John Haber. I’m a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and the founder of Nogginsland. I became a COTA in 2003, and then went back to school much later, receiving my Master’s Degree in OT from Mercy College in New York in 2016.
Over the years, I’ve worked with a variety of populations in different settings, from school districts, to developmental disability centers, to children’s hospitals.