| Now that the summer is coming to an end, for those | | | | year, set up a conference. |
| parents with children it is time to start thinking about the | | | | The best way to know what is going on in your child's |
| next school year! School supplies, uniforms, teachers, | | | | classroom is to volunteer. There are many ways to |
| homework, tests, clubs, sports, birthday parties, | | | | volunteer at schools today. If you don't feel |
| play-dates, and so much more! Yikes, how do parents | | | | comfortable being in the classroom, many times the |
| juggle it all? This article is designed to give you a few | | | | front office or library will have volunteer opportunities. |
| tips to ease the Back- to- School blues. | | | | This will still give you a way to keep up to date with |
| First, please know that you as parents deserve an | | | | what is happening at school. If you work and don't |
| applause for being the great parents you are! Your | | | | have the time to go into the classroom, ask your child's |
| children will benefit greatly from your time, patience and | | | | teacher if there are things you can do with your child |
| diligence with them. During the school year you will | | | | at home to still help with classroom needs. (Ex. Cutting |
| need all of those traits. It is not just back to school time | | | | things out, etc.) This is something you can do with your |
| for kids, it is that time for parents too! After all, parents | | | | child and they feel pride that you have contributed to |
| are the ones helping with the homework, driving the | | | | their classroom. |
| carpools, meeting with the teachers, hosting the | | | | Get a routine down sooner than later. The faster you |
| play-dates and so much more! | | | | get an after school routine down, the better. Children |
| Begin the back-to-school preparation by looking in the | | | | thrive when there is structure. If they have set times |
| newspaper or online for the sales on school supplies. | | | | for homework and playtime, it will keep the household |
| Many deals are out there and are necessary with the | | | | less chaotic. Having an afterschool checklist is a great |
| amount of supplies required in most schools today. | | | | way to have your child see what to do before they |
| Bring those supplies the first day of school, unless | | | | can play. For example, when they get home, there is |
| otherwise told. There will be many things to keep track | | | | time for a snack, then homework, chores and then |
| of during the first week of school, so it is good to get | | | | they know the remainder of the night is theirs before |
| these supplies dropped off and out of the way. | | | | bed. Keep the checklist somewhere where your child |
| After you meet your child's teacher, take note of his | | | | can access it easily. This strategy tends to cut down |
| her email address. This is a great way to | | | | on argument and leads to a happier household! |
| communicate with teachers. Many times at open | | | | As the new school year approaches, keep these few |
| house or school functions, there isn't time to talk | | | | points in mind. The school year can be a crazy time, |
| personally with the teacher. Email is a great way to | | | | but the hope is that these few tips will help you out a |
| get your questions answered quickly. If you have | | | | little. |
| concerns or something pressing at the beginning of the | | | | |