As an MVP Generation Go Ambassador, it’s my duty to share various topics and tips with my readers to hopefully lead a healthy and productive lifestyle. I’ve cover numerous topics ranging from exploring your community and my favorite kid-friendly recipe to finding creative ways for recreation and ways to manage your time wisely all while giving away a $50 VISA Gift Card, thanks to Kids Fun Plaza.
Nice, huh?
Well this week’s topic is Back-to-school. I know in other parts of the country, school has been in session for a few weeks now but here in New York, there’s still time left to get everything that is needed for a productive school year. To be exact, we have 13 days — but who’s counting. 😉
As for us, we’ve been buying school supplies and new clothes little by little. And let me tell you, everything is expensive. I’m a “couponer” so if I don’t see the word “sale” attached to the item or a coupon I could use, I rarely buy it. My kids get upset but they know their mom has a reason to her madness. We’re a one-income family and money can be tight at times so I need to watch what I spend.
This year is tough. All three kids will be attending school full-time as opposed to just two. My son, whose almost 15, will be a 10th grader; my 12-year-old daughter will be a 7th grader and my baby, she’ll be a first grader.
OMGosh, where did the time go? It’s like they were born one day and going to school the next. Time sure does fly by fast.
A few weeks before school starts, I make ground rules for all my children. I need to. If I don’t start a few weeks before school, their internal clock would go haywire and think it’s on summer mode. What parent wants that? I sure don’t.
BEDTIME
I start with a reasonable bedtime for all three — preferably before 9:30-10pm. My little one thinks it’s unfair she gets to go to bed before her brother and sister so the two older kids know when I say it’s “bedtime”, it’s for the both of them to read quietly with their night-light for 30 minutes. It calms them down and most of the time they are knocked out in about 20 minutes.
PLANNING
Every Sunday, it’s their job to empty out their back pack and remove the trash out of their bags. It’s amazing how much garbage accumulates in just one week. My kids need to be diligent about not forgetting their projects or homework they might’ve put on the back-burner. As a mom of 3, I know how things can slip through the cracks so making sure they empty their back packs once a week makes them less-forgetful.
HOMEWORK
It’s the most dreadful part of school for my son. He thinks he can get away with not doing his homework so I make sure he takes a small break, get a drink, eat a small snack and as soon as he’s done, he is to sit at the kitchen table and start on his homework. I believe if my son does nothing for too long, he gets too lazy to pick himself back up to do his homework on his own. My 12-year-old is the total opposite. I rarely have to send her to do her homework. She does it with no problems whatsoever.
SCHOOL BUS
I’m fortunate enough to have all 3 kids picked up right in front of our home. Walking to school is not needed to make sure they get to school on time and I don’t have to worry about driving them either. But I do have to worry about their safety on the school bus. I always tell them to make sure they put on their seat-belts, stay in their seats and don’t distract the driver. It’s difficult to monitor their behavior when I’m not there so they are sure to get a weekly speech from me.
So there you have it — a few of our tips that work for us. It would be really great if you, my lovely readers, would share your best tips for a productive school year.
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Disclosure: I am an MVP Generation Go ambassador. MVP Has provided me with compensation for this post. The $50 VISA gift card is sponsored by the generous people over at Kids Fun Plaza. My participation is voluntary and my opinions are always my own.
i try to get my daughter in bed earlier and the same time every night
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cindy windy
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cindy0462@gmail.com
I make sure my child gets enough sleep at night and healthy, nutritious breakfast every morning.
I like GenerationGo on Facebook and shared my tip on their wall:
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I liked this post on Facebook as Elena Istomina
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earlier bedtime, lunch menus and organize their room..great tips!!
earlier bedtimes, oraganize their room and lunch meuns..great tips!!
vianney/sweetlife recently posted..Lavender Tequila Cooler
My best tip is to arrange a visit to the classroom to meet with the child’s teacher ahead of time. This helps put the child at ease.
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I like them on FB and wrote my tip on their wall with my username Mary Happymommy–http://www.facebook.com/MVPGenerationGo/posts/270988122911202
Mami2jcn recently posted..My Baby Clothes Boutique Winner
tweeted my tip–http://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/107154071655428096
Mami2jcn recently posted..My Baby Clothes Boutique Winner
I like this post with my FB username Mary Happymommy.
Mami2jcn recently posted..My Baby Clothes Boutique Winner
I like New York Chica on FB with my username Mary Happymommy.
Mami2jcn recently posted..My Baby Clothes Boutique Winner
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted the giveaway-http://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/107154532433281024
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Mami2jcn recently posted..My Baby Clothes Boutique Winner
We get in a routine for homework, dinner, and bedtime so he gets adequate sleep and balanced diet for his busy days..
My daughter has her backpack and clothes the night before school packed and picked out
thanks
like fb post Julie Scott Laws
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My tip is to get in a routine and make sure the kids get balanced diet and enough sleep to fuel their busy days.
I tweeted as @ChaCha572 😉
http://twitter.com/#!/ChaCha572/statuses/107175505790382081
8pm sharp bed time! a sleepy kid is gonna be sluggish and not want to do there best!
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We do anything that can possibly be done the night before – like picking out clothes for the next day. That avoids running around looking for socks minutes before the bus arrives!
A good way to start is a week before school begins getting on a regular routine like getting to bed earlier.
I “like” the MVP GenerationGo Fan page FB name is Jan Peoples and I added my favorite back-to-school tip on their wall.
http://www.facebook.com/MVPGenerationGo/posts/271055746237773
Tweeted my tip.
https://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/107193708587384832
I follow you on twitter @disneyfan40 and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/107193175436832768
I “like” this post. FB name Jan Peoples
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Great back to school tips! My mom had a lot of the same ones for us. However our bedtime was 7:30-8P! You are a way cooler to let them stay up late! 🙂
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We really try to stick with a consistent reasonable bedtime each school night and eat healthy foods and snacks. Healthy and rested kids learn better!
A productive summer
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I like the put the kids to sleep early tip.
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Makes sure she gets enough sleep and eats a healthy breakfast
liked this post Jennifer Bee
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tweeted 8/27-http://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/107453426128011264
Mami2jcn recently posted..My Baby Clothes Boutique Winner
My best tip is to have a daily checklist for each child! tracietrump@yahoo.com