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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GIVEAWAY
MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me in a comment your best tip on preparing your child/ren 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.
Liked the MVP generation go fbook page & wrote my tip on the wall:
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ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com
Following you on twitter @JoeyfromSC and tweeted:
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Joey J.
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I think the best tip is to empower them by believing in them and using strengths based philosophies.
ky2here at msn dot com
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Encouraging them to try hard and letting them know that you will always be there to help them.
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My best tip for ensuring a productive school year is to take the few weeks before school begins and taking steps to get the kids’ minds prepared to learn and work – for example, cutting down the TV hours, getting them back on a normal sleep schedule, having them read newspapers or books and write summaries, etc., so that they are ready to hit the ground running and are eager to get started. Thanks!
gkaufmanss at yahoo dot com
I like MVP Generation Go on facebook (Geoff K) and I posted my favorite tip on their wall: http://www.facebook.com/MVPGenerationGo/posts/273270369349644
I tweeted my tips comment: http://twitter.com/#!/guettel78/status/108741194263171073
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My tip is to get the kids to bed at a reasonable hour a few days before school starts and make sure they have enough time in the morning for a healthy/hearty breakfast!
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I follow you @NewYorkChica on Twitter, I’m @AmberGoo, and tweeted:
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good pencils and notebooks
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I like you on Facebook and I keep the television unplugged until summer! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Renee Walters
bored2quickly@hotmail.com
A productive school year begins by making sure learning never ends.
chestnutyouth(at)hotmail(dot)com
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Early to bed a few weeks before school.
Make sure kids know you’re involved in their school activity. Volunteer at school and get involved in parent-teacher groups.
Like the MVP GenerationGo Fan page and commented (Cynthia Conley)
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Limit phone and television time.
dolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net
Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/guettel78/status/108860797148598272
Limit their video game playing. I found that restricting video games during the school week is really important. Only let them play them on weekends.
MAKE SURE THEY GET THEIR 8 HOURS OF SLEEP
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keep everything organized in folders/files.. and pack a healthy lunch the first day of school!
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fb fan of yours courtney bella
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Set a homework schedule and stick to it; and make sure if it’s posted online that you check!
I think continuing to learn during the summer helps the kids once school starts.
tweeted 8/31-http://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/108897808299466752
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get them on the new school schedule at least a week before school starts back up.
Chore charts – and gold stars on the calendar when we get things done and develop good habits!
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