Back-to-School Preparation that Preserves Your Sanity

I don’t know about you but whoever coined the phrase “the lazy days of summer” must have been living in another time. Starring ahead is the “Back to School” hoopla. Too many things to do, so little time! I will share my working list to make sure I cover my bases in getting the kids set for a new school year.

1. Schedule the doctor’s visits

Beat the “back to school” rush and secure appointments with the pediatrician/family physician. Don’t forget to have the kids see the dentist and the optometrist. Some health issues can masquerade as learning difficulties.

2. School Supplies

With the deep cuts in a lot of municipalities, parents are being asked to bring in more supplies. Clean up your list and look out for those “back to school” sales on these items, particularly if you are looking to pick up high-priced items like laptop computers.

3. Shopping for attire

You will be amazed how much the kids have grown over the summer. Clothes from a year ago are probably not going to still fit them.Back to school sales are going on now and the tempo will increase the further we are in August.

4. Schedule a “meet the teacher” meeting

Your school might have a “Back to School” night for this purpose. If you don’t have that option, by all means try to meet your kid’s teacher before or early in the school year.

5. Pick out extracurricular activities

You want to make sure the dance meet-up or the soft ball practice time blends well with your own schedule. Whatever you do, don’t over-schedule the kids. Everyone needs some downtime.

6. Tutoring

You may decide to get them in the homework groove by enrolling them in a tutoring program a few weeks before school resumes.

Bola Ajumobi is a mom of 2 boys and owns SlimyBookworm.com, an online children’s bookstore with the feel of being in your neighborhood independent bookstore. SlimyBookworm.com is committed to improving childhood literacy and donates 20% of profits to literacy efforts for the under-served.