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 don’t have any children left in school, but I do have a grandaughter and I always tell her to eat right and get a good nites rest, it helps to keep your head clear. Thanks for the giveaway.
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My tip for preparing my son for a wonderful school year is to let him know what I expect from him. For example, if there is a day that he doesn’t do one of his homework assignments, he won’t be able to enjoy his electronic devices that day.
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I like to go over stuff with them throughout the summer so they don’t forget things. I like them to get good sleep as well.
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We start adjusting bedtime about 2 weeks before school starts, then try to make sure that everyone gets a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast
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To always get a good night of sleep before school and to eat a healthy breakfast that day
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Allowing him to have decompression time on the way home: no talking or even radio sometimes, depending on what his mood is, makes him more open to discussing things in the evening.
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I make sure they read daily and do some educational things during their summer break. I also put them back on their normal bedtimes at least a week before school starts.
I make sure the kids still read and learn new things over the summer, and when it gets close to school starting, I make sure they get to bed earlier!
My tip would be to make a schedule for night/ morning to help the kids remember what to do to get ready, so I don’t have to constantly tell them what they need to do.
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We start getting into routine from getting up early to going to be on time a week before school begins.
I also encourage my children to tell me all about their day over afternoon snack.
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Our childen are grown but I usually started getting breakfast items that could be made quickly in the house so that the day started with something nutritious and good.
We don’t have any little ones in school yet, but to help my step-daughter we will get her to begin going to bed earlier as it gets closer to the beginning of the year as well as doing different activities that involves learning without her knowing.
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No kids yet but with my niece we make sure she gets to bed on time, eats breakfast, and knows every day right after school is homework time before play time.
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Encouraging reading during the summer vacation keeps children engaged in a learning mode and ready for school in fall.
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For teens who insist on energy drinks for Sports: Introduce their coach to Switchel, ( 1 gal Water, 1 quart Apple cider, 1 cup blackstrap molasses and 1/4 cup ground ginger), other energy drink alternatives such as smoothies are good too- far less expensive than canned drinks- and your teen will enjoy them.
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I make sure they have all of the supplies they need and and that their desks at home are ready for homework.
Make sure you have snacks that are easy to open for the children in their lunch boxes!
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My best tip would have to be to devise a schedule right from the beginning and stick to it. It avoids things like stressing over unfinished homework on the way out the door in the morning. Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com
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