This is a sponsored post by Avery and these opinions are 100% my own.
I know, I know. We only just started summer. But the reality is this: my kids’ summer is only 79 days. We have to make every moment count because school will be back in session before we know it!
We’ve been playing tons of video and board games, watching movies, bowling and using our season passes. In the coming weeks, my kids have big plans to attend bug camp, spend a week with their Geezer (Grandpa), hang out with friends, do some more bowling, go to vacation bible school, watch more movies and play more video games. It’s nothing major – but we are making memories and that’s what counts!
What my kids don’t know is that I’m already looking for great deals on back-to-school supplies. I have a supply list for my elementary schooler, and while we haven’t gotten one yet for my (ack!) new-to-middle school kiddo, I am going to be ready with all of the usual suspects.
Once summer is over, how do you make the school year great? Here are some tricks we use:
- Start the back to school transition about 3 weeks before school actually starts. This allows the kids to get back into the early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine.
- Go to “Meet the Teacher” night at school. If your child meets his/her teacher, they are more likely to feel comfortable going forward.
- Let the kids pick out their own supplies. Binders, dividers, pens – whatever they want to make them feel more comfortable in the classroom. Avery has a great selection of everything they’ll need for the year. Avery products are durable and functional which are great benefits for kids of all ages. They provide a “Hassle Free” product replacement guarantee to ensure Avery products last over the duration of the school year.
- Same goes for clothes – as long as their choices are within the dress code, let the kids pick what they want.
- When school starts, have the kids up so they have plenty of time to prepare. Also, begin each day with a healthy breakfast.
- In the morning, make time to talk about what the kid(s) expect will happen during the day. In the evening, take time to discuss what actually happened and what they learned.
What tips do you have for making back to school great?!
Make sure you enter Avery’s Back To School Sweepstakes for your chance to win a box of supplies through July and August!
We have purchased school supplies from the school so we are already ahead of the game. Best piece of advice is to start early and avoid the rush…then you still get a chance to relax before going back.
We won’t start our back to school shopping until late August. Our kids don’t go back until after Labor day, so I have plenty of time. Avery products are always on our list 😉
Great tips and I love the family selfie! I guess my tip is to make sure to get supplies early in August because last year we didn’t and it was slim pickin!
It’s crazy how much quicker summer vacation seems to go every year! I like shopping slowly over the summer to enjoy those last few days as a family instead of stressing over supplies.
Our school district covers all of the students’ school supplies they’d need other than a book bag and lunchbox of course.
We get our kids (going into 1st and 2nd grade) into a night routine a couple weeks before school starts, which means bedtime is again at 8pm and they get their bags ready. Their school bus doesn’t come til 7:40am, so they sleep until 6:30 – 6:40am. They usually eat breakfast at school w/ friends and buy their lunches.
My kiddo starts Kindergarten this year, so I am super nervous and excited! It’s less than a month away!
I like the idea of having a buffer/transition period before school. I think that will really give them a head start!
Preparation is key, especially if the new school year means a change. I spend a few weeks getting my kids back into the school routines and getting things organized.
Great tips. Sounds like a fun summer is in process. Love that they call their grandpa geezer made me chuckle.
I would have to say making sure the kids do educational activity sheets, games and books for their next grade level during the summer. It keeps their minds sharp and gives them a slight edge when they go back to school