5 Back-to-School Tips for Moms

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Friends, it is August 1st! Almost "that" time of year again. You may be having visions of yellow buses dancing in your head? You're looking for cheap school supplies, clipping coupons for paper towels and in disbelief that your baby is in what grade. As you're getting your little one ready for school, here's 5 back-to-school tips from my subbing adventures in an elementary school last spring. Benefits of each back-to-school tip are below.
tips-for-back-to-school



 Benefits of "5 Back-to-School Tips for Moms"

Tip #1. Watch the Weather. A comfortable environment is necessary to learn. Be sure to dress your child in temperature appropriate clothing. Encourage your student to watch the weather and choose his/her own clothes for the next day. This task teaches correlation relating temperature to dressing. Remember: too hot or too cold = too distracted to learn.

Tip #2. Start a Book Fair Fund. Like now! Encourage your child to save $.25-$1.00 per week. This instills responsibility and discipline. I hate to see kids who don't have money to spend at the book fair. By the time the fair rolls into town, the piggy bank could have up to $10+ to spend as your child wishes without putting a strain on the weekly budget. Your child feels good about themselves buying fun items with their own money and you'll shine with proud rays when you see what they bought!

Tip #3. Pack a Light Jacket. A jacket insures your child won't get too cold. A jacket from home gives a level of comfort beyond just keeping kids warm. There are multiple uses for a jacket; as a pillow, a seat cushion, a blanket, an umbrella, money holders, etc.. Children get creative with jackets!

Tip #4. Eat a Non-sugary Breakfast. I made a mistake with me and my daughters. I never ate breakfast and neither did they. BIG mistake! HUGE mistake! I am now convinced that breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. Chock it full of protein and minimize carbs. A good example is two pieces of bacon, scrambled eggs and a piece of toast with water or unsweet fruit juice.  I watch kids cram in a sugary lunch and crash, while the protein and fruit eaters are still going strong at the end of the day.

Tip #5. Get your child to do a "chore for more". This approach gets you some much needed help around the house and your child something "more". If he/she does a chore and does it well, pay them a buck for their work. Encourage them to use that buck on ice cream day at school. I hate to see kids who want ice cream but don't have money to buy one. Some days I think those ice cream machines are evil. I can imagine them sticking out their tongues at the kids who can't have one. Ugly picture!

What back-to-school tips do you have to add to this list? Leave me a comment and help others too!

Counting down the days,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Comments

  1. Good tips! I especially like the saving for the book fair, I have worked as a sub and now I am an assistant and always hate when some kids cannot get a book. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I know Chanda and the book fair stuff seems so over-priced. Our school won't allow anyone to give the children money either. :( Thanks for stopping by! I joined your site, appreciate a join-back!

      Tammy
      The Happy Handicap

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  2. My oldest isn’t even in Kindergarten yet, so I don’t have any tips to provide. But I’m definitely keeping these in mind for the future! I do absolutely agree with the healthy breakfast, though. Even in Pre-K, we’ve found that our oldest daughter’s behavior is much better when she has some protein and a whole grain at breakfast (usually Greek yogurt and whole grain cereal).

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    1. I wish I was disciplined enough to eat breakfast every morning! I love the theme of your blog "finding fun in every day life". Awwweeesome! I liked your page on facebook. Would you like to join my site or connect with me on facebook, twitter, etc? Thanks for stopping by.

      Tammy
      The Happy Handicap

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  3. These are great tips! I totally agree with the need to have good breakfast.

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    1. Breakfast escapes me almost every morning. I've got to do better! Joined your site and facebook page. I'd appreciate a follow back. :) Thanks for stopping by...

      Tammy
      The Happy Handicap

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  4. Hello Moscow! Yes! I'd love to follow each other. I joined your blog site and headed to facebook and twitter. Please follow me back. Thanks for stopping by.

    Tammy
    The Happy Handicap

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  5. Hi! I followed you back! Keep in touch!
    http://afinaskaterblogspotcom.blogspot.ru/

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  6. Thanks so much for sharing this at The Pin Junkie Link Party! I'm featuring it today in my back to school round up! I hope you'll stop by to grab a button! http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/08/back-to-school-crafts-tips-printables.html

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    1. You're so welcome and THANK YOU for the feature! I feel so special. I grabbed a button and wearing it proudly.

      Tammy
      The Happy Handicap

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