Back to School Checklist for Parents
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Back to school is here. The air is crisp, the leaves start to fall, and everyone has back-to-school on their minds. We’ve put together a back-to-school checklist for parents, focusing on the positives of motherhood and the journey ahead. We all want to feel prepared and organized as the new school year starts.
School Supplies
- pencils
- notebooks
- backpack
- crayons/markers
- lunch bags
- water bottle
- gluestick
- safety scissors
Gather all the items on your school list, from pencils and notebooks to a new backpack and lunch bags. Make sure your child’s pencil case is well-equipped.
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Communication
Stay in touch with your child’s teacher. Exchange contact information and keep the lines of communication open for a successful school year. Ask for an email address to keep in contact and follow their social media accounts if they have one set up for the parents of the class.
Extracurricular Activities
Explore the extracurricular activities available for your child, whether it’s sports practice, after-school clubs, or summer reading programs. Most programs will start to open up registration in September, so be sure to find out when registration opens and closes.
School Preparation
Help your younger children adjust to the idea of starting school for the first time. Create a positive environment to ease their transition. Being organized ahead of time will make things less chaotic for you and your child this school year.
Important Dates
Mark important dates on your calendar app, such as parent-teacher conferences, school holidays, and special events. The school usually emails out a list of important dates early on so you can add them to your own personal calendar so you always know what’s coming up ahead of time.
School Essentials
Ensure your child has everything they need for a great start to the school year, including water bottles, school clothes, and a healthy breakfast routine. You can find lots of great breakfast ideas online and on Pinterest.
Healthy Snacks
Pack school lunches with nutritious options in food storage containers. Include healthy snacks that will keep your child energized throughout the day.
Mental Health
Pay attention to your child’s mental health and well-being. Encourage a daily routine that includes time for relaxation and self-care and fun activities.
Family Time
Make the most of the moments you spend with your children. School time is a great opportunity for growth and bonding with your family.
Balance
Find a balance between work, family, and school commitments. Remember that maintaining a positive attitude can make a significant difference in how you approach each day.
Back-to-School Routine
Establish a healthy bedtime routine to ensure your child gets enough rest for their busy school days. Start your routine earlier so you can make up for lost pjs, lost teddy, needing to pee, etc etc.
Stay Informed
Stay updated with school leaders and check the school’s website for any important information or changes in schedules.
Health Forms
Complete any necessary health forms, including eye exams and doctor visits. Ensure your child’s health is a top priority.
Dress Codes
Familiarize yourself with the school’s dress codes and ensure your child’s school clothes comply with them.
School Day Drop-off
Plan your daily routine, including school drop-off and meal prep, to ensure a smooth start to the school day.
What Parents Should Do for the First Day of School:
Relax; everyone is feeling the same way you are. Everyone is filled with nerves and excitement. Getting up early to ensure everyone is fed and isn’t rushed is key. In my experience, if everyone has that extra time in the morning, things seem to move much easier.
Drop offs can be hard. I always find I need to find a middle ground between comforting my kids and remaining strong for them. A big hug, a kiss, and a happy face as I hand them to the teachers shows them that I am ok, I am confident in the school and confident in them. Sometimes there will be tears, and that’s normal. conform your child and keep in touch with the teacher to be sure they settle down once you’ve left.
What Should First-Time Parents Do: First-time parents should focus on creating a positive and supportive environment for their child’s school journey. They can start by following this back-to-school checklist and maintaining open communication with teachers and their children.
I hope that this list helps you on the first day of school. It’s an exciting time for everyone, but it definitely comes with stress and anxiety. I can offer a glimmer of hope to those who are raising small children. My teens now have a much better back to school than my little one. Littles are still getting used to the big world away from mommy and can often turn to tears, which I know breaks our mama hearts. It gets easier.
As a full-time working mom of three, I know what it’s like to feel like life is out of balance and out of control.
While I don’t have it all figured out, I am committed to sharing helpful tips and tricks with other mommas who are ready to break free from negativity, ditch mom guilt, & finally, live life on their own terms.