I know, I’m like you and the notion of “back to school” makes me want to throw up a little bit. I am the mom who cries on the first day of school—sometimes bordering on a crazy person. Though my kids may drive me crazy at times, I love having them home and hate sending them back. But we must face the reality, and that is that the back to school season is quickly approaching and therefore it’s time to start thinking about it.
I’m not proposing that you start buying the crayons and the glue the minute that your kids get out of school, but thinking ahead can pay off. I like to think of it as little segments or phases. Partially because it helps me to stay sane, and partially because otherwise it can feel like you are literally throwing money out the window. If you take the approach of a little at a time, you will be much better for it.
Shop Ahead and Look For Bargains
I tell you that what drives me the craziest is the back to school clothes. These tiny little creates need so much stuff! The good news is that there are a great offering of Mom2Mom sales right here in Metro Detroit. This makes for a great way to get some basics together and not break the bank. You may also find that filling in the wardrobe needs from Target, Carter’s, or wherever you have coupons for is a tremendous help.
The school supplies aren’t as crazy as you think they are. Most schools post a list of the items that you need to bring by grade, so look for it. Otherwise most kids at the elementary school level aren’t going to need a lot of crazy stuff. I was amazed by this and found that I spent much more on lunch bags and all of that other gear than anything else.
I might advise that putting together some fun and creative lunch ideas can go a long way. You too will get to the point of HATING packing lunches and feel sick of the process. So do some research on Pinterest and make yourself a little list of go to lunch ideas. Works like a charm for you, and keeps your little ones interested in still eating their lunch in the short amount of time that they have.
Talk It Through For Them and For You
So much of the preparation for school to me is mental. When my daughter started kindergarten last fall I nearly lost it. Watching her walk in that door to begin her school career nearly had me on the ground sobbing. Thankfully I pulled it together, but I think that this was due in large part to us talking it through a lot before the first day. It worked to get her ready—and if I’m being honest it helped me to cope too!
Sure you want the cute little backpack, and I highly recommend Amazon for an inexpensive and wide selection. You want them to have a great lunch box or bag, and I would check out Target. Shop ahead and make your way through the list a little at a time. It will help you to get a grip and also to get what you need as you move forward. Involving your little student can help them to feel a part of things and make it a fun bonding activity too.
Back to school comes way too quickly these days, but with the right amount of preparation you can master it. Your little student is going to do great—and you will not need to be talked down from the ledge with the right amount of preparation. This may be the beginning of a new era, but it doesn’t need to be an expensive or crazy one.
Take things off the list little by little and your bank account and your sanity will stay intact. You may never get used to sending your little one to school, but being prepared in this area can at least make this process a little less painful. Good luck and save the tears for the car!
