Entrepreneurial Moms Ready the Kids for Back-To-School

2009-07-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Summer has, once again, flown by! Seems that as the kids get older, the summers somehow get shorter!

For Entrepreneurial Moms this time has added pressures, as we begin the 'juggling process' anew this school year. There are a few things I've learned in the last 16 years that have helped make the transition into the new school year just a bit less painful.

First, about two weeks before school starts have the kids start going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. Their internal clocks will re-set to 'school time' and make the first day of school less painful for them and for YOU.

Get all the back-to-school shopping done now. Don't wait till that last weekend before the first school bell rings! It's much too stressful standing shoulder to shoulder with other harried moms in the WalMart aisle fighting for the last composition notebooks on the shelf! We've all done it, and it makes for a miserable experience!

While compiling the supplies listed on the kids' supply list this year, take one more step. Grab extra supplies for use at home when you set-up a designated homework spot for each of your children. Nothing is worse than having your daughter yell out, "Mom, we're out of notebook paper and I can't finish my report!" at 6pm while you're stir-frying dinner, still dressed in your business clothes from the office! (Usually that unwelcome message means the kids will be eating while Mom makes a mad dash to the store!)

Have the kids go through their closets, tossing all the clothes and shoes that no longer fit into a bag that you can drop-off at your local Salvation Army or other charity. After they've thinned out their closets, plan a shopping trip to get this year's school clothes or uniforms. Some states offer a 'Sales Tax Free' shopping weekend that will save you a little bit of money. Don't forget to buy jackets, windbreakers or other outerwear that the kids will need within a couple months. While shopping, look for the stores that offer discounts. For instance, Rack Room Shoes frequently offers a 'Buy One Get One Half-OFF' sale, which is great if you have several children or if your kids need school shoes AND shoes for gym class.

HINT: If you end up shoe-shopping without your kids, you can take along a template of their feet to the shoe store. Have the kids stand on a piece of paper. Outline their foot. Cut-out the shape. Do this for each of your kids, then write their name on each 'foot shape.' When you're at the shoe store, you'll be able to match-up your template with the shoe that it fits. (Now, I caution you: This won't work for your teen-age or 'tween-age daughters, who assume that we, mothers, have absolutely no sense of style! I know you can relate if you have girls!)

When buying backpacks, look for the ones that have a front, chest strap too. This will help to evenly distribute the weight of the full bag and will prevent back, neck and shoulder strain for your kids. When looking for a backpack try to find one that is made of ballistic nylon which is more durable and will last longer.

Personally, I'm a big believer in preparing kids for their future, teaching them responsibility, and allowing them to learn from situations. Sometimes this can be difficult as a mother, because we want to spare our kids the 'pain' that sometimes comes along with life's lessons. Remember: "PREPARE THE CHILD FOR THE PATH, NOT THE PATH FOR THE CHILD." We can't change life, but we can prepare our kids to handle what life tosses their way. Teaching them responsibility and accountability will only make their path easier to navigate in the future!

Make it clear to your children that their school-day isn't over till their homework is also complete. Designate specific 'homework zones' for each of your kids. Stock their 'zone' with supplies like paper, pens, markers, a ruler, a calculator, and any other age-appropriate supplies they may need. If convenient, create their 'zone' in an area near a computer, so they'll have everything they need within reach when it's time for homework. Next, put two file baskets on the desk. Mark one 'In' and the other 'Out.' Explain to your child that the 'In' basket is where he will drop his daily papers for you to review and sign. Then, after you've looked over the papers and kept the ones you want, place the ones that he needs to return to school into the 'Out' basket, where he will retrieve them and return the signed papers to school the next morning. This simple system will eliminate the clutter and chaos every afternoon when your kids get home from school. Plus, it will teach your kids responsibility because it's up to them to retrieve the signed papers every day. (And when your son forgets his papers and phones you to beg you to bring them to the school, RESIST that 'Mom Urge' to fix the situation. Don't stop what you're doing and run the papers up to the school! I guarantee your son will remember NEXT time, if Mom doesn't come to the rescue!)

Entrepreneurial moms usually enjoy some flexibility in their schedules, but getting their kids to and from school can still present some obstacles. Take steps now to organize a carpool with other parents in the neighborhood. Meet with the other parents to collaborate on everyone's schedules and see what works best for everyone. Maybe you have clients in the afternoons, but you can drive the a.m. carpool on the way to the office. And, if your neighbor works 9 to 5, she will likely appreciate the fact that you can handle the afternoon carpool because she can't get off work at 3pm every day. Talk to your neighbors and arrange the carpool NOW.

Contact your pediatrician to make sure your children's shot records are up to date. Request a copy of their shot record for your personal files. If your child has not had his annual physical, schedule it now. The doctor will also perform a hearing test and a vision test. Better to find out NOW, if your child has a vision or hearing problem, rather than waiting till the end of the first semester when his grades are affected! And, if your son or daughter will need a sports physical, schedule it now, so they won't have to miss school one afternoon for the appointment.

If your child will bike to school for the first time this school year, take the time to make a practice run with him. Discuss bicycle safety and road rules. Emphasize the importance of wearing a bike helmet. Talk about everything from 'stranger danger' to obeying traffic rules. Then, during your 'dry run,' hang back and observe your child and how he follows the rules. This practice run will either reassure you that your child is ready to bike to school on his own OR it may show you that he's not yet ready for the added responsibility.

Stay tuned for more organizational tips, time savers and stress reducers for back-to-school!

FloydFest 2009 Music & Arts Festival

2009-07-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

Looking for people who attended FloydFest 2009 in Virginia last weekend! Would like to include you in an article!

Thanks for the book reviews!

2009-07-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the book reviews!
http://www.amazon.com/Entrepreneurial-Mom-Managing-Success-Business/dp/1581825919

Mary Davis

Entrepreneurial Moms Ready the Kids for Back-To-School

FloydFest 2009 Music & Arts Festival

Thanks for the book reviews!