| the start of school is looming, parents rush out to find | | | | Other supplies for parents should include a planner. |
| educational supplies for their children. They carry long | | | | Many parents already have planners for work and |
| lists of items, from pencils to binders and backpacks to | | | | may even have a planner for home. This can be |
| calculators. When school supply shopping is done, | | | | nerve wrecking as one may not match the other and |
| harried moms are able to put their feet up and exhale. | | | | parent teacher conferences may accidentally be |
| But there is something they may not be thinking about: | | | | scheduled at the same time as that all-important |
| What about educational supplies for themselves? | | | | business meeting. Buy one nice sized planner that can |
| Every mother has had the joy of trying to keep dates | | | | be used for both home and work. Every week, be |
| and papers straight. Just when you think you have it all | | | | sure to copy appointments and due projects to the |
| under control, you realize that appointment is tomorrow | | | | wall calendar. |
| or the permission slip you were supposed to turn in | | | | Your file drawers should have clearly labeled files |
| yesterday is somewhere in a pile of papers on your | | | | containing such things as immunization records, birth |
| table or… is it? Make no mistake. Moms need | | | | certificates, report cards, and copies of school papers. |
| educational supplies, too. | | | | Why should parents make a copy of official |
| Organization doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, | | | | transcripts and papers they fill out for schools? Well, |
| it is fairly easy if you have the right equipment. Filing | | | | sometimes the school may not be as organized as |
| cabinets with clearly labeled file folders are a must for | | | | you are and may need to be reminded of classes |
| the organized parent. Large wall calendars and | | | | taken and information that has been given even if they |
| planners can help busy parents keep track of | | | | believe you dropped the ball. These things happen. |
| appointments. Having a specific place for | | | | Being prepared can save a lot of headaches for |
| children’s projects helps to keep your house | | | | yourself and the school. |
| clear of clutter. The need for school supplies extends | | | | Another educational supply can include a place for |
| far beyond the walls of the school building. | | | | school papers that must be signed by you. This can be |
| If you buy a wall calendar, it is smart to get one that is | | | | a simple bin placed on top of your desk or file cabinet. |
| done on a dry eraser board. This way, it can be | | | | Make a point of reminding your children to place these |
| updated from week to week. If your child has a hard | | | | papers in the bin so you will be able to find them easily. |
| time remembering gym clothes because gym class is | | | | A large cork board for class schedules, lunch menus |
| held only two days a week, writing “Gym | | | | and event reminders can be put up beside your |
| day” on every Wednesday space can be a | | | | calendar. While the calendar can say, “Bake |
| great reminder for you as well as your child. Write | | | | sale - 2 PM” on the Saturday slot, there may |
| down due dates for school projects and outline a | | | | not be room for the location and your contribution to |
| schedule for getting them done. For example, you | | | | the event. Having reminders posted nearby can |
| might write, “Purchase poster board and find | | | | support you when you find you don’t have all |
| old magazines” on one day and | | | | the information you need. |
| “Research for half an hour online” on | | | | Don’t let yourself be bogged down with papers |
| the next day. This is a great way to teach your | | | | and appointments because of a lack of organization. |
| children to be responsible by organizing their time. | | | | Your own educational supplies are as important as |
| Educational supplies can be even more educational | | | | your children’s needs when it comes to making |
| than you might think. | | | | everything run smoothly throughout the school year. |