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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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.
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Get my kids a good dinner and in bed early. Like on FB and thanks for the great sweep. Hope to win 🙂
We homeschool. So, there really is no preparation other than getting the new grade’s books and starting.
Make sure to read books all summer, keeps your mind active!
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Prepare kids for the school year by setting down the rules early and making sure they know what is expected of them. When they do well, praise them. When they do wrong, be sure they know what it is they did and have them make it right.
Tip:
Make sure they have all the necessary school supplies to excel.
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My tip is to keep it “fun” – it’s easier to get kids to cooperate when duties and discipline are made to be a game.
Make sure they get plenty of sleep and have a good breakfast. These are the most important things when getting ready for school. Thank you!
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MANDATORY ENTRY: what we told our kids was that SCHOOL was their job and their grades was their pay so,if you made enough money ,you could do things(I expected a C or above) and if you didn’t you couldn’t do things
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Starting their bedtime at a correct time & making sure they eat a satisfy breakfast.
Stocking up on healthy snacks, and vitamins and having them get plenty of sleep.
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Make sure they have all the school supplies they need.
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Lots of sleep, a decent breakfast and designated study time is mandatory in our house.
We start school with clean rooms and a clean car. Even if they only stay that way through carpool the first day, the ritual helps calm us.
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We are a family of readers and I have always encouraged reading and going to the library especially during the summer months when there is no school. This seems to help make easier to sit down, concentrate and do homework once school starts again.
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I prepare my kids for the school year by having them help out with setting up a schedule. If the expectations are set early, its easier for them to follow through.
having them go to bed at a decent time
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best tip on preparing a child for a productive school year is to make sure they have all the tools
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Set a sleep schedule and a homework schedule before school starts- and stick to it
def having a routine and schedule
Keep their minds and bodies active by reading and going on nature walks to learn all about the the world around them.
always get a good breakfast before they go to school
Implement a set bedtime so they are well rested. Have a set time homework is completed, in our house RIGHT after school. If it doesn’t get finished, they don’t get to play or watch any TV.
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bedtime early the week before school and conversations about expectations for the new school year – from parent and child point of views
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