It’s approaching that time of year again. That’s right, summer vacation is coming to an end, and that means it’s time to get ready for the excitement and flurry of back to school activities. Being prepared and organized will help to eliminate those first-day butterflies for both you and your children. So, as we wave good-bye to the hazy, lazy days of afternoons on the beach and say hello to crisp, autumn weather and hometown football games, here are some helpful tips to make the transition easy and breezy for everyone.
-Get your family back into your school year sleep routine. Readjusting to early mornings after a summer of sleeping in can be hard on everyone, so begin the school year sleep schedule about a week prior to the first day, giving everyone time to adjust. It might even be a good idea to do a practice run of your early morning routines, such as breakfast time and lunch prep, to really give yourself a leg up and iron out any potential bugs in your system, so to speak.
-Shop for back to school supplies. Make a day out of back-to-school shopping, and your children will definitely get excited when they are able to help pick out their backpack, lunch box, and notebooks. Be on the lookout for back to school sales too, as this is also an excellent opportunity to teach them a little bit about budgets and responsibility!
-Expect (or at least be prepared for) the unexpected. Sick days are inevitable, but they can be less stressful if you have a plan in place to handle them. Before school even begins, have a sitter(or two) that you know and trust. If your little one wakes up with a sore throat or you get a phone call from the school nurse, you will have someone to call if you’re stuck at the office.
-Take time to get organized. Organization and preparedness are the best ways to counteract the potentially hectic schedule of back-to-school time. Designate a spot in your house for homework, permission slips, and any other school-related papers. Clutter can create stress and frustration, especially during the oh-so-critical morning routine. Eliminate that with a folder or binder to hold important paperwork, and keep a calendar of events and appointments.
-Review school material and information. Schools usually send home a packet with necessary information regarding your child’s new teacher, important dates to remember, emergency forms, and transportation routines. Take this opportunity to thoroughly acquaint yourself with this beneficial material, and make a note of any questions or concerns that you would like to address.
Now that you are prepared for back to school time, get ready to enjoy those crisp and cool autumn nights. Make sure you are fully prepared for that first chilly night by reaching out to Annapolis Propane & Fuels for all of your heating needs. We are proud to be your local propane supplier, and we want to keep you and your family warm and cozy throughout the falling of the leaves and into the first frost. Part of back to school prep is looking forward to the cooler seasons, so in addition to pulling out the wool sweaters and toasty blankets, call us to arrange for a propane delivery so that you and your family stay warm throughout the fall and winter seasons.
