Back-To-School Tips for the Working Mom

The Back to School season is here again. Starting a new school year requires an adjustment of our schedule and routines. To help with this transition, we have provided some practical tips – from one mom to another – to help you tackle this process.

Tip 1: Transition Your Family into a Back-to-School Routine.

During the summer your kids have likely been existing in a less structured environment. In the weeks leading to the beginning of the school year, consider implementing patterns that will transition your children into the schedule they will have once classes begin. This way the return to school will be less of a shock to them.

You can start by having them go to bed at an earlier time and waking them up earlier in the morning. You can also ask them to read for a while in the afternoon, around the time they would be doing their homework. Consider also cutting back on their TV and internet time and creating conditions that resemble their school time routine.

Tip 2: Set a Realistic Schedule for the School Year.

Take some time before schools starts to prepare a weekly schedule that will allow you to see what a week will look like for you and your kids after school starts. In your schedule, include extra-curricular activities, tutoring, household chores, and other activities your children are engaged in. Try not to pack too many activities into the schedule, so you (and your children) don’t go crazy constantly running from one place to another.

Tip 3: Publicize Your Schedule.

Share your schedule with your family prior to beginning the school year. Ask for their feedback, and make changes as needed. Finalize the schedule and distribute it to your family members, or post it in a visible location.

Tip 4: Buy School Supplies, School Clothes, Uniforms Online.

Buying online is an absolute time saver. Make a list of the back-to-school items, uniforms and school clothes you need.  Then, and block a couple of hours to do some online shopping. You can compare prices, tackle a list of needed items in minutes, and not have to deal with checkout lines or parking woes. Make sure you place your orders with sufficient time for the items to arrive before school starts. Also, consider shopping from merchants that have physical locations near you, so you can exchange or return items easily, if needed.

Tip 5: Make Sure the Kids Have an Adequate Study Space.

Take a look at the area where your child will be doing homework or studying. Have they outgrown their desk? Is the lighting adequate? Do they have the supplies they need? Determine whether you need to upgrade or modify their study space, and do so before school starts.

Tip 6:  Have a File/Binder for Each Child.

You and your child will likely receive many documents during the first weeks of school with course information, class schedules, extra-curricular activities, etc.  Have a file, folder or other place where you can store these documents for easy access in the future. In this file, you should also maintain the contact information for the school, after-care provided and your child’s teachers. 

Tip 8: Talk to Your Kids About the New School Year.

Get to know their thoughts about starting a new school year, and whether there are any things they are worried or concerned about. Think about how you can help with any issues they bring up. For example, if your child is worried about a difficult class on their schedule, consider whether they may need a tutor for that subject. Gather information on potential tutors or support programs, evaluate the options, and be ready to make these resources available to your child when needed.

Tip 9:  Arrange Transportation.

Determine how your child will get to and from school. Will you drive them there?  Are they taking a school bus?  Will you carpool with other parents? Consider the options and discuss with your child their preferences.

Tip 10: Get Back-to-School Paperwork Out of the Way ASAP.

Many schools require parents to fill out multiple forms at the beginning of the school year. Determine if there are any forms or documents that you can complete online, or that you can download from the school’s website.  You should complete and sign any forms as soon as you receive or have access to them. 

Tip 11: Get into the Habit of Planning Your Meals Over the Weekend.

Planning your meals for the entire week during the weekend can save you tons of time and money. Set aside time over the weekend to plan your breakfasts, dinners, and snacks for the week.  Make a list of the ingredients required for these meals. Go to the grocery store and buy only what you need for that week. You can then prep some of the foods you bought, and have them ready to cook during the week.

Tip 12: Get into the Habit of Picking Out Your Kids’ Clothes Over the Weekend.

If your child does not wear a uniform to school, you can take some time during the weekend to plan and set aside the outfit your child will wear each day of the week. Your child can help you select their clothes. You should have a designated area in their closets or room to store the outfits for the week. This will help your kids will know where to get their clothes in the morning, and will make the morning routine easier and faster.

Tip 13:  Have a Designated Area in Your Pantry and Refrigerator to Store the Things You Need to Pack for Lunch.

Designate a shelf in your refrigerator and/or in your pantry to store the food items that your child will take to school for lunch or snacks. This will reduce the time you need to prepare their lunch boxes or bags in the morning. If your child knows where these items are located, they can also help in the morning by packing their own lunches.

Tip 14: Have a Designated Message Center.

Your designated message center can be a dry-erase board in the kitchen, a chalkboard the study area, or other place where you can leave messages for your kids and they can do the same. You can write down any changes in schedules, messages or other communications. Get into the habit of viewing the message center regularly.

Tip 15: Consider Health-Related Matters.

Finally, you should consider whether your child needs to be vaccinated, as well as other health-related preparations. For more on this, click here: https://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/top-5-back-school-health-tips-moms.

We hope these tips are helpful. We would love to hear from you. Let us know if you have any other tips to get ready for the beginning of the school year.