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 am already an email subscriber. 🙂
Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com
I shared my tip on the MVP Generation Go Facebook page.
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Set out clothes, make lunches..etc the night before so there morning before school is calm .
Get everything ready to go at night before the next morning.
Daily tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/guettel78/status/109648092147625984
9/2 tweet
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We set up a schedule and stick to it as best we can. That way the kids know when it’s time to do homework, when to get their clothes laid out for tomorrow, lunches made,etc.
http://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/109665222326878208
Keep them reading during the summer so it’s not an abrupt change in routine
I have my kids read during the summer so they do not get lazy and forget everything they have learned. I make lunches and stick to a schedule even when not in school so they have there days planned so when they return to school it isnt such a burden on the kids.
Starting their early bed time a week early and waking up early then also.
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tweet on 9/2
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we get everything ready the night before: lunch and all.
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It is important to be prepared. Have a good idea what the student will wear the following day, backpack is properly organized with pencils and enough time is allowed to get ready!
A good schedule and making sure things are ready the night before.
Do all your back to school shopping early, and get everything ready in advance for the actual first day!
We make lunches and set out clothes the night before, go to bed on time and start the day off with prayer
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Adhere to a set bedtime schedule , and always have a well balanced breakfast
early to bed and early to rise as the saying goes
amaayala@yahoo.com
Best tip for a productive school year from a home schooler, make it fun. We usually don’t have no fuss because we are always exploring and learning as we explore.
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Always make sure your kids have a healthy breakfast!!!
Organization- have an area and time to study & get as much done the night before as possible
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Like the post Sherry Conrad
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Stay on top of your kids’ extracurriculars/ after school events! Running everyone around after a long day can be very stressful- unless, that is, you can find a way to organize and plan transportation ahead of time.
My best tip is to talk to my girl about organization and help her carry out her own plans of how she can best be organized. My girl likes to be involved in how she will be prepared.
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Make sure to have everything planned out in advance for clothing they will wear and make sure they hit the sheets on time.
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daily tweet!
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I like to make sure they are well rested and eating properly!
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Get the children in the habit of helping to get things ready the night before. They get to choose their clothes and have them ready and help pack the lunch for the next day.
A good night’s sleep is important to prepare for school!
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I prepare them by enforcing consistent bed times, even on the weekends. On Friday and Saturday, he gets an extra hour to stay up, at the most.
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My tip is to organize the night before so nothing is forgotten in the morning.
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Tl Moyer
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Tl Moyer
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