Unbelievable at how quickly summer vacation is drawing to an end for St Louis kiddos. Most area students will be returning to classrooms in just a couple of weeks leaving us parents the daunting task of reinforcing bedtimes and hectic school shopping. As we rearrange our focus from summer fun activities to school activities, here are a few helpful tid bits I use every year in making the transition back to school days:
1. Bedtime for my kids has always been 8:30, but during summer I waive that rule. Tonight began the first night of unwinding earlier with the hopes of 8:30 being the norm again in just a few days. Same goes for waking up! Starting earlier is better when it comes to a child's routine and making changes. Everyone will be happier on the first day of school!
2. Back to school shopping began a couple of weeks ago, but most of it will be completed during the Tax-Free holiday starting next week in most areas. This is a great time to stock up on uniforms, supplies, shoes, and perhaps even a couple of electronics that you have been holding off to get. Visit http://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school/
for all the details and dates.
3. Organizing school items is done one week before school begins. Backpacks packed, uniforms put in their proper place, lunchboxes out and ready for use. I also try to ensure that the kiddos get a mini room makeover by sprucing up their desks with new accessories (whatever their newest interest may be) and reorganizing to eliminate some of the clutter they have accumulated over the summer months. This becomes an excellent opportunity to donate old clothes, unwanted books, and even toys. Organization plus doing a good deed = AWESOME!
4. We also make a summer memory book the weekend before school starts. Pictures, postcards (we buy postcards at every place we go to but never mail them lol), summer flowers, all get meshed together and it has become a great way to help the kiddos transition - they look over the completed book and eagerly begin discussing which of their friends they can't wait to tell about their great summer!
5. Refresher course: summer is such a carefree time, I often let a lot of things slide as well as my husband, and this is not always the best idea. The kids some how become tyrants over summer, dictating everything from bedtimes to what they are going to eat for breakfast! Reminding them of school day routines, school rules, and homework habits usually helps to lasso in their summer wildness.
What are some of your back to school preparation rituals? Leave a comment and let me know!
Events this week:
Birds in Concert August 4th 7pm-8:30pm
Description: "The Raptor Project" house band performs their hit children's songs while birds fly above your head!
Location: Wild Bird Sanctuary 125 Bald Eagle Rd Valley Park, MO 63088
Cost: FREE
website: www.worldbirdsanctuary.org
Free Family Fun Day August 6th 10am - 4pm
Description: Celebrate the grand reopening of the Delta Dental Theatre with several family fun events, characters like Dora and Spongebob, and more.
Location: Corner of First & Lucas streets (down the street from the theatre)
website: www.ddhtstl.org
Also, check out www.kidsinstl.com for great deals on 'kids eat free' locations, events, and tips!
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