Some districts are back in and even more are about to be as the start of a new school year is set to begin.

Are you ready to send them off to school?  Are some of you first timers watching your kids go off to a brand new world? Are others of you old hat professionals as you already have your routine locked down?  Or are some of you watching your kids go off for senior years and are now counting down to graduation?

I asked several people what they are doing to prepare for the first day of school and not surprisingly a lot of answers were similar as far as changing routines, preparing clothes and food the day before and more.  So, how prepared are you?  Have you bought school supplies? Clothes and uniforms?  What about getting registered and proper immunization shots?  Does your child know their class schedule?  While you ponder these questions, here are what some parents had to say about their preparedness.

Ky W.
As for me, I picked up a few things that could be quick for breakfast (even though the school provides breakfast), just to make sure they would be full until lunch time. Uniforms are hung up( 1 shirt to a pants). Book bags are at the door to quickly grab in the morning and supplies are replenished the night before since we have to run out the door early in the morning. My advice is prep the night before, you never know the alarm might not go off or you just sleep through it. At least if everything is already ready to go you can just hop up and hit the ground running. Tv is reduced to the weekends just about as well. No time for tv shows when school is in session

David J.
We have the approved list of school supplies purchased. We have started “doing homework” 3 nights a week, to get him in the swing, and bedtimes have been rolled back. TV/video game time has also been reduced.

Gilly C.
I am with Ky all the way prep up the nite before my Son is 14 so he is pretty much on track. First day, get your schedule make sure all your required class are there. My Son wears uniforms also he Irons for the week. Proper rest is a requirement in my house he goes to bed at 9:30 still and I have no problem getting him up in the morning.

Dawn R.
I picked up some quick meals for breakfast, set up her food account online for school. Pulled out the crockpot to mentally prepare myself for making meals and then started 2 weeks before having the talk of what this year’s goals are going to be and my expectations.. I also asked her what she needed from me to be more successful in this last yr of High School? FINALLY, WE PRAY TOGETHER EVERY MORNING before we leave our home for protection, peace, guidance. Our first week has been beautiful.

Brian R.
Make sure everything is prepared (clothes, school supplies, lunch, etc.) and ready to go the night before, and that they get to bed in enough time to get plenty of sleep. Also, If they have any over-the-summer academic assignments, make sure they don’t wait until Labor Day weekend to get them done.

Alaw  J.

My foster kids all love school because its 6+ hours of social time and away from me… but they know I’m there if they need me. My advice would be set the tone early… I got teachers emails, cell #’s, and a tank full of gas… anytime you feel like you want to be class clown and not focus on work… just let me know…LOL

Biafra D.

We don’t make a big production of it. It’s school, it’s great, do your work and have fun. That’s pretty much it. We try to allow their lives and activities flow organically from one thing to another. We try not to emphasize or suggest that what they learn at school is any more important than what they learned at camp or home or Grandmas house. It’s all learning. Just in different forms. We feel like it eases the “Oh, my God. I’m in school now. This is learning. This is different.” anxiety.

And of course you always have  that silly one in the bunch who just likes to fool around.  Here is how NOT to do it on the first day.  🙂  because you know we don’t exactly advocate child abuse but, well…your miles may vary but this entry is all in fun.

ANONYMOUS

Beat the crap outta them before they leave and tell them if they get into any trouble or bring home anything less than A’s the next beating will be worse. You won’t have any more problems. That was my mistake. I should have beat the crap outta my son instead of making the first day sweet and special with hugs, cards, notes and breakfast.