After 2 months of summer fun, getting back into a routine in preparation for back to school, can be challenging. As a parent, I know that there are school supplies and clothing to be purchased (which I still have not completed) but beyond that, I feel like there are things I should be doing that I am not. Are you feeling the same way? Please don’t tell me I am the only one.
If so, this Parents Back to School Checklist is for you (and me)! Of course this is just a guideline and you should pick and choose any of these suggestions that you think will work best for you and your lifestyle. Hope this helps!!!
Parents Back to School Checklist
- Start readjusting to a school-year bedtime and implement a routine (I tend to start 2 – 3 weeks before school starts). You can have them start going to sleep at the time they will be headed to bed during the school year or you can gradually keep moving their bedtime up until you get to the desired time.
- Get your kiddos signed up for health and dental insurance. With germs from other children and physical activities they will be participating in, you want to be prepared. Plus, a healthy child is a more focused child in school. For those reasons and more, you shouldn’t put it off.
- Gather all school forms as they arrive and keep them in a designated area so that you know where they are when you need them.
- Go on to the school website to see if there is anything you may have missed to prepare your child(ren). You should also take note of important dates and add them into your calendar.
- Do a “trial-run” of the first day of school to ease any nervousness about the first day, especially for those starting a new school. For example, my daughter is starting middle school this year and since that can be overwhelming, we will be walking to all of her classes the day of orientation so that she is familiar with the school.
- If you are going to be taking first day of school pictures (like most of us will be), allow extra time for that and plan accordingly.
- Discuss the school routine/schedule with your child(ren) so that they know what to expect and you can address any concerns with them. *I like to let them know what needs to be done in the mornings and in the afternoons after they get out of class.
- Confirm childcare arrangements you’ll be needing during the school year. Some before school / after school programs have deadlines and if you are using a babysitter, you want to be sure they are available when you need them.
- Making school lunches? Come up with a lunch plan and start stocking up on the items you will be using like water, and non-perishable snacks.
- Purchase backpacks, clothing and school supplies for your child(ren). *I figured this was a given but sometimes we forget the most obvious of tasks.
Do you have any more suggestions for the Parents Back to School Checklist? I’d love to hear them.
