As you know I taught Family & Consumer Science (Home Economics) for 11 years before leaving my career to stay home with my son. It is hard to believe that I have been out of the classroom for 4 years! This is the time of the year when I would be gearing up to start a new year and anticipating the first day of school with my students and this year I am not preparing myself buy my son! It is hard to believe that he is starting kindergarten.
I recently participated in a webcast with parenting expert, Annie Pleshette hosted by Office Max. After listening to the webcast I wanted to share with you 5 tips for Back-to-School Success.
1. It is very important to transition from summer to school. You want to create a set bedtime and routine for your children. In the 2 weeks before school start by getting into a routine of going to bed 10 minutes earlier until you are at the time you want for the children’s set bedtime. Annie, suggests introducing a quiet family time an hour before bed to help children settle down as well.
2. Avoid extra activities (if possible) the 1st week of school. It is a huge transition for your children the first week of school. If possible miss extra activities and allow your children time to settle into their new routine without distractions. This one is going to be hard for us because it is also the first week of soccer practice and hubby is the coach.
3. Prep the night before so that your morning runs smoothly. Pack back packs, school lunches, lay out clothes. Anything that you can do to simplify your morning routine is key. Don’t forget to add special touches from home. Use cookie cutters to turn sandwiches into shapes, put notes in your child’s lunchbox, pack their favorite comfort food. Another tip is to freeze their grapes or juice pouch to help keep their lunch cool. Giving them something to look forward to at lunchtime. Be sure to check out my review on snackTAXIS for a great way to help save the planet while you pack lunches!
4. Create a positive relationship with your children’s teachers. I suggest sending a note or email to your child’s teacher. I suggest asking your child’s teacher if she has a wishlist of items that you could help with or send in items that you think would be beneficial with a note. I am personally sending a little gift the first day of school. I had special parents who did this for me throughout my teaching career and I will never forget it!
5. Create a First Day of School Tradition. Our tradition is that I cook “Mickey Mouse” pancakes and bacon on the first day of school and we always take a picture of my son on our front porch holding a sign that says the name of the school and year (see above). This way we never forget the year and we are able to see his growth from year to year. It is a special tradition and I dont’ have to embarrass him at school by taking a picture 
Don’t forget to check here for great TAX FREE shopping!
What tips to you have for making Back-to-School a success?
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RE freezing juice boxes….
I was going to start experimenting with this……(e.g. put in lunch pack frozen solid or put frozen item in frig the night before so it goes in slushy, etc.).
What works? Is is liquified by lunch time if put in frozen solid in AM?
It is normally liquefied by lunchtime depending on what time your kids eat during the day…my son didn’t eat until 12:30 when I did it.
Thanks!
Thanks for this list. my kids have been in school for 5 years now but it is always nice to have reminders and new ideas to start the school year off right!
Thanks Maura!
Thanks great suggestions…
Our first day of school tradition is taking pics on the front porch……such an exciting day!
What a great reminder! I wish I read this tip (Avoid extra activities (if possible) the 1st week of school) earlier.
We homeschool so our first day of school is very exciting to get to the new cirriculums and back in the routine of it all. We usually take pics of our activities that first day and throughout the year.
Great tips!
thanks for the tips. back to school is a great time for my son but stressful for me.
Thanks! These are great tips!
Thanks! Great tips!
I always make sure to give my child’s teacher a gift of something needed on the first day. At the open house, I always ask what the teacher needs the most of during the year. This year, the teacher informed me that she always buys a lot of index cards throughout the year, so on the first day of 5th grade, my son took a gift bag full of index cards.
I like your ideas about the pix the first morning @school is so hectic I never get pix and including the year is great. Thank you!
That’s a great idea for the first day of school traditions. We have a tradition of going for ice cream after the first day!
I love that Candace!
I love to freeze things. It saves money!!! Thanks for the tips very helpful!
I agree — prepping the night before makes the next day flow easier.
Great ideas!!! My kids need to start going to bed earlier!
Interesting tips, will be implementing some of these into our routine
Thanks for the great tips. My only child starts kindergarten this year. I have #4 covered, the kindergarted teacher is my best friend.
As a homeschooling parent, the first day is different for us. I insist my daughter get dressed although late in the year pajama days creep back in. When I did have kids in public school I made sure to let the teacher know how important she was in my child’s life.
Excellent suggestions! I definitely pack-up the night before to try to avoid forgetting something important in the morning as I rush out the door
We always start the week before back to school night with night time routine and bed time! It is so helpful when school actually starts!
Like the snack TAXIs. I use a similar reusable lunch container, and it is so nice. I also feel like it keeps me from over packing lunches. I fill them, and toss them in the fridge at night, then they are ready to go in the AM!
Ha Ha ! I thought creating a first day back to school tradition to be very creative and original. Not a bad idea. Love your article.
Thanks for the tips! The one about the picture, we already do & LOVE it!! Thanks!
Another tip for freezing the grapes: After rinsing them, sprinkle a little Koolaid powder on top. They’re almost like dessert!
Love the picture on the porch!
great tips
Thanks for the tips. Children do better with routine, order and preparation. Family traditions can make the transition a lot more fun also.
Never thought to free the juice pouch! Guess I thought it would explode
I always take a pic in the driveway but never thought about putting the “year” in the pic too! Great ideas! Thanks
My favorite picture of my childhood is my first day of first grade so have continued that tradition for my kids and now for my grandkids. thanks
i would like too check out the sales
Taking the time out just to plan help with back to school.
TY for the tips!!
Thanks for the tips – I’m definitely going to get the kids to bed earlier starting tonight!
Those are great ideas. I love the one about going to bed 10 minutes earlier every night until the optimal time for bed is achieved. We sooo need to do that. It’s so hard to get into a routine unless we have to but that’s so hard on everyone. I love the idea about pictures too. My daughter probably wishes I would have found that tip years ago. Lol.
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I like those tips, my favorite is number four be kind the teacher and they will go out of their way to be kind to your child. Small gestures go a long way. If you just bring in the required supplies as asked teacehrs appreciate that.
I can’t wait to make my kids their special back to school breakfast and dinner! Wonderful family tradition!
Wonderful ideas for back to school
I’m going to stock up on 100 calorie snacks at Sams Club. They are so convenient and teaches portion control.
I’ve been trying to get my daughter back in a set routine. Since she’s been home for the summer she has from time to time took a nap when needed. Since her little brother still naps I have her go sit quietly in her room and read. She still fell asleep the other day doing that!
Hope she is ready by NEXT WEEK!
Excellent suggestions! I don’t have a school age kid – yet – but I do work for a university & am anxiously awaiting the start of the school year, combined with having to take my baby to daycare. It will greatly change our schedule & your suggestions are great!
I really like your tradition of mickey mouse pancakes & bacon – I’ll have to remember this one!
We started our picture in front of the school sign and can’t stop now! LOL…Too bad I didn’t see this four years ago.
I love all your tips they are all great…Do you have any ideas what to pack in your childs lunch besides PB & J sandwiches…My kids love veriaty and spoilage is a concern….
I like to get things ready at night!
This is stuff that every mom needs to know. As my daughter gets older, however, getting her back into a routine gets harder.
I love the Mickey Mouse Pancakes and Bacon tradition on the first day of school!
Some great tips- love your traditions.
Love the tips thanks!
Thanks for the idea of starting a tradition on the first day of school! I really like that!
I especially agree with #1; It’s very important to set consistent bed times for kids in the weeks before school starts.
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