Are you ready to start talking about Back to School? This season is a big deal for kids and parents! With summer winding down and school kicking off, there's a lot on your plate. New schedules and routines plus all of the required supplies and new gear, it can be intimidating. I approach this from a different angle since my regular job, when I’m not moonlighting at The Gift Designers, is at a Jr.High School. My summers are cherished but I’ve also been thinking about back-to-school and I’ve got some ideas on how to keep things manageable.

1.       Get Organized

·         Create a to-do list of items that need to be purchased

·         Try to can reuse school supplies from the previous year.

·         Do last year’s gym shoes still fit?

·        Are there supplies that are specific to a new course that are required as soon as the year kicks off?

·         Making a list will give you direction and help you prioritize tasks.

2.       Mark down important dates & data

·        As the school communications start to come through make sure you’re noting upcoming events like Meet the Teacher nights.

·        Be prepared to figure out your school’s parent portal and digital gradebook program. Make sure you write down your logins ;)

·        Staying on top of upcoming events helps to take away stress as the year rolls out.

3.       Communication is Key

·        Help prepare your child for the upcoming school year by discussing how they are feeling as they enter a new grade – possibly even a new school. Are they excited, nervous, or somewhere in-between?

·        Being able to process these feelings with a parent is valuable and will help them prepare for the new experiences ahead of them. Regular communication now will help to ensure that the conversation continues throughout the school year.

4.       Self-Care for your Family

·         Sometimes the transition to September is a bit jarring. Summer schedules can be flexible and relaxed and it can be a hectic change of pace once the school year starts.

·          Get in some moments now that refreshing for both parents and kids.

·          Book in some reboot time in September so that your family can have some mellow evenings or weekends. This will help to ease back into your fall routines and give people time to adjust to the back-to-school rhythms.

Navigating this time of the year as a parent can be both exciting and challenging. With a little planning and a positive attitude, you’ll be ready to embrace the new school year with confidence and ease. Here’s to a successful and fulfilling back-to-school season for you and your family!

Here is our Family Gift category. One of these designs would be perfect as you wrap up summer or even as an idea for one of those recommended mellow September nights! https://thegiftdesigners.com/calgary/gifts-for-the-family