Back to school tips

Today marks one week exactly until my kids start school.  KIDS.  People.  Friends.  This is BIG.  BOTH by boys will be in school this year.   Weston has told everyone this summer he is going to be in kindergarten.  EVERYONE.  It's the first thing he tells people when he sees them.  Ethan will be a second grader and only has one wish. . . that he gets to be in his BFF's class.  He's so cute!

One week from today, I am going to go walk through Target, with a cinnamon dolce latte, by myself.  There might be a happy dance.  I don't know.  I am ready.

So, with one week left of vacation, it's time to get ready.  Here are some of my favorite tips for making school days easier.

1.  Make a morning checklist.
I make one on my computer and laminate it and give each kid a dry erase marker.  It has pictures on it, so Weston who isn't quite reading yet, knows what he has to have done before we walk out the door.  I keep it simple with the basics.

2.  Get as much done the night before.
I like to get lunches made the night before and have it sitting in the fridge where they can grab it and stick it in their lunch boxes.  We always keep their ice packs in the same place in the freezer so they can grab those on their own, too.  Clothes are also set out the night before so they can get dressed as soon as they wake up.  This year, we are going to try having backpacks packed by the door ready for school the next morning.

3.  Create a homework station. 
At our house, homework is done after quiet time and before dinner.  We do it at the kitchen table, so I can help them and work on dinner at the same time.  We have a cart where we keep crayons, pencils, highlighters, scissors, and glue.  Pretty much everything they need for homework is right there so we don't have to spend 20 minutes finding things to do our homework with.

4.  My favorite thing we do each morning before walking the kids to their lines is pray.  A few years ago, I heard Priscilla Shrier talk about how she prayed and quoted scripture to her boys empowering them to be young boys of God.   Sometimes I forget and the kids remind me.

I guess I don't have too many tips, but that is how we get through the day.  Either that, or I am distracted by the Olympics (let's be honest. . . who isn't?).


Here are also some other posts that might help you out:

Lunch time inspiration

A gift for the teacher (Free printable)

Routine check list

Why we send our kids to public school


 I hope you have a wonderful first day of school (whenever your kids start).  Do you have any helpful hints?  Feel free to post them in the comments or on my facebook page.