| While the summer months are relaxing, fun and without | | | | When your kids get older and enter junior high and high |
| schedule, they are also the time to stock up and | | | | school, there are often non-school textbooks they'll |
| restock for the following school year. | | | | need. This can happen in advanced classes, in honors |
| We have always found that it is much less stressful to | | | | classes and in AP classes. The books used in the |
| do our shopping over the summer versus the week | | | | classroom are not provided by the school. Often those |
| before school starts. | | | | books must be bought through a college bookstore |
| Let's start with clothing. The stores tend to begin | | | | (we did this often with math courses). If you don't |
| getting in their fall clothes midway through summer. | | | | purchase these books early, it can take six weeks to |
| When you shop early you and your children have your | | | | receive them. And the bookstores don't want leftovers |
| choice of both styles and colors. In addition, you'll also | | | | so they do not overbuy what they believe they don't |
| have your choice of sizes. Often, stores get only one | | | | need. In the advanced English classes, there are times |
| or two items in a particular size. | | | | the teachers will request additional books that are not |
| If your child will need a uniform for school or for a | | | | provided by the school be read. If the teacher has two |
| sport/physical education, summer is the only time to | | | | classes of 34 students, there are now 68 students |
| guarantee you'll get what your child needs. Over the | | | | needing one book and the local Borders might have 15 |
| years, I've seen kids have to wait a month to get | | | | copies on hand. While they can order, this too can take |
| uniforms and they end up wearing old hand-me-downs | | | | a few weeks. If you know you'll need the book and |
| that the school offers them. | | | | you shop early, your child will have the book and will |
| Next are the actual school supplies, such as pens, | | | | not have to borrow or make copies from a friend's |
| pencils and paper. We do a lot of our shopping at | | | | book. |
| Staples and we've found that in the summer we have | | | | Finally, we always shopped for our lunch boxes early |
| lots of choices in notebook sizes and colors, and as | | | | so that the kids would have their choice of all available |
| many choices in pen styles. By the beginning of school, | | | | styles. If your child has their heart set on a specific |
| the shelves at Staples always look half-bare and | | | | character and that lunchbox is no longer available, |
| many items are now on backorder. We often overbuy | | | | you're looking at possible tantrums and tears, especially |
| to make sure we have everything we need. If we find | | | | when their friends show up the first day of school with |
| we don't need it, I take it back quickly so that those | | | | that exact lunch box. |
| who need it will have the opportunity to buy it. I would | | | | Shop early and avoid the crowds, the empty shelves |
| much rather make a return trip than to have my child | | | | and the disappointed kids. |
| be upset without the proper supplies. | | | | |