How to Get Your Child Ready for School - 2010

Back to school begins this year - 2010 - just after mid-August. For many kids and parents it seems summer time went way too quickly. For others, they are anxious to get into the routine of the school year.

How to get your family ready for the new school year.

1. Check over supply lists your school requires and purchase any needed items. If you are unable to afford them, many places are collecting back to school supplies that will help your children.

2. Begin the back to school bedtime routine. If your kids have been staying up until 10:00 this summer and suddenly you expect them in bed by 7:30 or 8:00, they will have difficulty adjusting. The same with getting up. If they've been sleeping until 9:30, early wake up times will cause tiredness and distraction for them.

3. Take time to go through their closets and drawers. Make 3 piles. One for tossing because items are torn or unusable. Another for outgrown, but usable items that can be handed down or given away. The third pile is for anything that fits and that they will wear. [Sometimes things fit - but they hate them. Give those away, too.]

4. Make a list of new clothing and shoes that will be needed. Because of early starts, summer clothes will work well for awhile, but jeans and long sleeves will be needed in a month or so in many areas of the country. What about coats, hats, mittens etc. Yes, for most of us it's early to think about needing all of that stuff. But you can watch for sales or maybe even find some hand me downs or garage sale items that look like new. And, you can watch for the back to school sales to save tons of money. Try to never buy anything full price.

5. Be sure that your child's shoes fit properly. Those expensive shoes [you think you just bought] may still look just fine, but upon closer checking, you'll see they're almost too small.

6. Make any needed arrangements for child care. Do not wait until the time comes. Does your child need before school or after school care? Is there a trusted neighbor or some other place near-by that they could stay for the short time needed?

7. If your child has before or after school activities, make plans as to how they will be transported and so that someone will be available to pick them up or drop them off in a timely fashion. Don't embarrass your child by making them late or by making them wait a long time. Also, be sure of their safety. Group situations tend to help keep them safe from harms way.

8. If your child will be home alone for awhile, take time to sit down and discuss the situation. Do they know what to do if someone knocks on the door, or they get a weird phone call or in case of severe storms or fire? Do they know how to reach you [or someone who could help them] at all times? Do they know how to quickly dial 911 or a close relative? Explain the importance of not letting anyone inside the home or telling someone they are alone. Discourage the idea of other children coming into your home when your child is home alone. Ask them if they have have questions and take time to answer them. Assure them they are your number one concern.

9. Has your child made decisions as to what activities are important? You - and they - can't do everything, but encourage them to participate in the sport[s] or dance or whatever interests them. Often young children need to explore different opportunities to know what they do enjoy. Also, working together in teams is a great way for them to learn how to get along with others and can boost their own self-confidence. Assure them that you don't expect them to be the top person on the team - but you do expect them to give their best and to try. Teach them to respect coaches, leaders and teachers.

Only by applying themselves and learning all they can will they be able to move forward at the pace they themselves will be happiest. Encourage perfect attendance, completion of homework to the best of their ability and build rewards into your family life. Respect for each other and each other's goals and abilities will help them as they continue along the path of life.