And just like that, even before the temperatures go down or the leaves fall from the trees, summer vacation is over! In Florida, kids are back in the classroom August 19, while most of the rest of the country returns to school after Labor Day. Either way, one thing’s certain: It’s back to school season! To help you keep your cool, save some money and transition smoothly to the new routine, we’ve gathered our best back to school tips just for you. Make sure to click on each title below to read the full article of your interest.
SAVE ON BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Whether you take advantage of tax-free sales week to do your shopping, get your supplies online or recycle your older kids’ belongings for the enjoyment and use of the younger ones, you need to make a plan. Avoid the last minute scramble by visiting your children’s school website and getting a list of what they need ahead of time. Michael Lohr shares his best tips on saving.
HELP YOUR KID GET READY FOR SCHOOL
Teachers know best, giving us tips on how to transition our kiddos from a care-free vacation schedule to the rigid timetables and calendars of the school year. Their tips are different depending on what grade your child is about to enter. Monica Rohr did a great round up of teachers’ advice.
MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ALL THEIR SHOTS
Dr. Tanginika Cuascud shares a back to school immunization checklist which will help you find out whether your little ones are on schedule for vaccines. Speak to the school nurse to find out any additional policies your particular center may have.
PREPARE YOUR KID FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
A breakdown of every aspect you should consider. Is your kid a bus rider? A brown-bagger? Wearing a uniform or not? Mompreneur Laura Fuentes shares her tips to prep her three kids for the first day.
READ BOOKS ABOUT RETURNING TO SCHOOL
We compiled a list of titles that will help your young ones feel excited about seeing their friends and teachers again. Whether you read the same book every night or a different one each day, make sure you do so with gusto. And share with your little ones your own first day of school when you were a kid. Teacher Eileen Carter-Campos shares her favorite reads.
Read Related: Lessons in Back to School Spending
MAKE A CHECKLIST THE NIGHT BEFORE
Rosalita Leona offers us her do’s and don’ts for back to school night. If you jot down what you need to find out on day one, you will hopefully avoid first day jitters. (Yours, not theirs!)
LET THE TEENS STYLE IT
Middle and high-schoolers may be able to go back to school in style if they don’t have to wear a uniform. Valeria Guston shares the best teen styles for the classroom. Share them with your kids so they’ll know how cool you really are!
KEEP YOUR COOL
If you are a working mom, you may not be able to check everything off the back to school to-do list. Don’t beat yourself up over that. Our editor in chief Lorraine C. Ladish shares her imperfect first day of school for her kids and how you, too, can forgive yourself for not acing it. The kids will be fine!
MANAGE AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Before the kids even start school again, decide who is going to enroll in what, and how thin you are willing to spread yourself this year. Mom of three and entrepreneur Laura Fuentes shares her best tips to avoid after-school chaos.
KNOW YOUR KIDS’ TEACHER
From day one, offer to help out. Teachers not only want but need you to come to their aid. Teacher Jessica Galán shares with us what our children´s teachers want to know about them and why. And remember to give them recognition year round.
What additional tips would you offer for parents gearing up for back to school?
