The Live The Adventure Letter 
Ready or not, here it comes …It’s just about time to head back to school! Whatever school might look like in your family – public school, private school, homeschool, or even college – we’ve got some tips and tricks to help your family get back into the school year swing with ease.
Color Coordinate
Multiple children in different grade levels (or schools) can get a little bit tricky, to say the least. Try color-coding for simplification! First, assign a color to each child or family member. Then purchase notebooks, pencil boxes, bookbags, and supplies in that unique color to help streamline the educational clutter around the house. Next, in each person’s assigned color, write-in events and appointments on the family calendar to help keep things organized.
Practice the Morning Rush
It’s easy to get into the “stay up all night, sleep all morning” mentality over summer break. So a few days (or a week or two for younger children) before school begins, go ahead and get firm with bedtimes and wake-up times. Practice setting that alarm. Encourage your older children and teens to master this habit all on their own.
Organize Mealtime
Go ahead and put a few extra meals in your freezer now … before the back-to-school craziness hits. Consider putting your meal planning on paper, and throw it in your planner with a grocery shopping list. Keep lunchbox staples in stock at all times, if possible. Right now is the perfect time to teach your children to pack or make their own lunches, as age and maturity allows. This teaches them responsibility as well as frees up mom and dad’s precious time. Last but not least – remember the color-coding idea above? Go ahead and buy each family member a water bottle in their specific color and encourage a good water drinking habit this school year.
Conquer Breakfast
On hectic mornings, breakfast can be a battle. Have a system in place for making breakfast quick, easy, and delicious. Find some easy and healthy breakfast ideas that your children enjoy. Stock up on these items, and keep them in stock. Then, teach your older kids how to prepare them without your help. Breakfast smoothies and make-ahead breakfast sandwiches are good healthy options for even the pickiest eaters.
Break In the New
New shoes … new jeans … fancy new bookbags and computers … try them out first! Wear new shoes and clothes for a few days before heading off to P.E. class or school. That way you can make sure they fit properly and everything is comfortable. New computers, calculators, and other technology should be tested out to make sure it’s all in working order before it’s needed in a class environment. Using a locker at school or gym? Practice using the lock at home first.
Set Up a Paperwork Storage System
Don’t fall prey to the paperwork monster this year! Instead of letting it pile up and become unruly, develop a storage system that works for your needs. Hanging files and file boxes for important papers, plastic storage bins for each child’s art work/school work collection… Figure out a system that is easy enough you’ll actually follow through with it and keep it going all year long.
Encourage Good Study Habits
Give your kids the tools they need for effective and efficient study time. Index cards make great flashcards, and adding in some colored gel pens or markers will make creating flashcards a little more fun. Set up a school supply station in a central location where your little scholars can find the tools they need without having to bug mom and dad. Schedule adequate study time or homework into your family’s daily life as needed. Make it a priority.
Befriend the To-Do List
Have your children learn the art of the to-do list. It’s excellent motivation to get things done for adults, teens, and older students. Many smartphones now have apps to make it even easier. Some people prefer keeping a “done list” – where they write down every item they complete rather than crossing it off a traditional to-do list.
Organize, Organize, Organize
Create an efficiently organized environment to make school days as stress-free as possible. Keep the bookbags by the door. Throw your keys into a key bowl where you’ll easily find them on hectic mornings. Write down any and all important events on the family calendar as soon as you find out about them. Create a snack station where the youngest children can self-service as needed. Find a system that works for your family and keep it running.
Don’t Overextend Yourself
Classes, co-ops, extracurricular activities, and volunteer opportunities – they are all great things. But don’t overextend yourself or commit to more than you can reasonably handle. Pray before saying yes, and be sure to guard family time closely. Choose your “extras” wisely, and if you find out they aren’t a good fit for your family, adjust as necessary. Remember, we all need chunks of downtime where we can rest, relax, and enjoy our hobbies and interests. If you need to schedule downtime into your week – do it.
Now you’re ready to head out and tackle a brand new school year! The team at Heirloom Audio wishes you a blessed and productive year of fun adventures and learning opportunities.
