As the new academic year approaches, it’s time to prepare for the influx of school supplies, oversized shoes that will probably be outgrown by October, and the frantic last-minute cramming of multiplication tables. But don’t worry, it’s not too late to organize yourself and the young learners in your life. Here are ten strategies to steer clear of, so you can (kind of) be ready for school before the first bell rings!
- Delay Your Shopping: A common oversight is waiting until after school starts to shop for supplies, only to discover the teacher’s required list crumpled in the bottom of a backpack. Avoid the chaos of last-minute shopping at crowded stores by purchasing supplies now, while others are still savoring their summer. Sure, you might grab the wrong type of notebook paper, but that’s why services like Amazon Prime exist.
- Neglect Physical Preparation: Forgetting to prepare your child for the weight of their school supplies is a rookie mistake. Consider their backpack’s weight and help them build the strength needed to carry those hefty science binders.
- Skip the Bus Stop Rehearsal: One of the best ways to prepare for school is to practice what mornings will look like. Consider a “Bus Stop Drill” where you wake your child up in the early hours, mimicking the chaos of a school day. This will help them adjust to the routine, though you may want to be careful not to cross any boundaries.
- Overlook Crayon Management: Instead of tossing out your collection of broken crayons, consider melting them into new ones. It’s a fun project you might think about doing if you can find the time after throwing out most of that old art supplies.
- Dismiss the Homework Station Idea: Pinterest may suggest creating a dedicated homework area, but it’s important to recognize what works best for your family. Sometimes, the best organization is simply functional.
- Avoid Creating Accountability Tools: Having checklists and chore charts can help keep your kids on track. It may feel like an additional task for you, but these tools can help cultivate responsibility in your children.
- Ignore Lunch Preparation: One of the biggest time drains during the school year is packing lunches. Instead of scrambling every morning, consider preparing meals in advance. Though you might worry that the sandwiches won’t last until June, remember that your child might not eat what you made anyway.
- Neglect Outfit Planning: While your child may prefer something comfortable for the first day, consider how their outfit will look in the inevitable back-to-school photo. After all, social media loves a well-coordinated look!
- Forget the First Day Chalkboard: If you haven’t already started preparing a cute chalkboard with your child’s details for a first-day photo, it might be time to rethink your timeline. Those perfect snapshots are a one-time opportunity!
- Put Off Pencil Sharpening: Every year, families buy countless new pencils, forgetting that they likely already have plenty at home. Take a moment to sharpen what you have to avoid unnecessary purchases.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can find a semblance of organization as the school year begins. And while perfection may not be possible, you can at least feel a bit more prepared with these tips.
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In summary, organizing for back-to-school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By sidestepping these common mistakes, you can navigate the transition with a bit more ease.