Back to School Checklist for Practical Parents
How to Ease Stress and Save Money While Preparing for Back to School
Aug 6, 2009
Waiting until the last minute to get the kids ready to go back to school can lead to unnecessary frustration as well as higher costs. Parents who scramble to get things done at the last minute often find that they have missed out on all of the merchandise and discounts offered during the weeks before school goes back.
Doctors and Optometrists
- If children need shots, be sure to make a doctor appointment at least two week before school begins. This ensures that there will be an available opening at the office and will allow enough time for any adverse reactions to the shot to subside.
- Children who wear corrective eye glasses should be taken for an eye exam at least one month before school starts. Waiting until the last minute could result in the glasses not being ready when school starts or the child not having enough time to get used to them before having to wear them daily.
- Many opticians and optical stores offer large discounts on kids lenses and frames in the weeks before school goes back. Consider a store that offers half price or two for one pricing so that the child has a spare pair.
- If the optician does offer a two for one deal and there is more than one child in the family who wears glasses, ask if the deal includes two different prescriptions.
Arrange for After School Daycare
If children need before or after school care, be sure that arrangements are made with a qualified daycare provider well before school begins. It is also a good idea to find an alternate daycare source just in case the regular provider is unable, for whatever reason to fulfill, his or her duties as scheduled.
Getting Back to a Routine
Over the summer months, routines tend to become a little more relaxed than they are during the school year, and getting kids back into the swing of things cannot be done overnight.
A few weeks before the first day of school, start making bedtime 10-15 minutes earlier each night and getting up 10-15 minutes earlier each morning. By the first day of school, the kids will be used to waking up the necessary time.
Back to School Shopping
Before embarking on a full scale shopping trip for back to school clothing and supplies, first take inventory of what the kids have and what they actually need. Chances are that some items are still perfectly usable and only half of the necessary items will have to be purchased new.
- Check dollar and discount stores for items such as pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, markers and crayons. They will cost considerably less than at chain stores and work just as well.
- If you are on a limited budget for back to school shopping, do not let yourself be bullied. For example, if children insist on having a high end book bag, explain to them that if they buy it, that they will have to settle for a more modestly priced pair of shoes or jacket.
- Consider purchasing school clothing at consignment shops, where near new higher end clothing is available at drastically reduced prices.
It is also important to remember that school is not the only place where children learn. Providing children with a proper environment to study and do homework is an important step in encouraging good study habits
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