As summer comes to a close, it’s time to start focusing on going back to school. Here’s how to slide into the rhythm of new school-year routines with grace and shop for supplies with frugality.
I have to admit that after the crazy spring we all went through and how the last school year ended, I’m sort of looking forward to the new year. I think my kids are, too.
Despite being less affected than many others because we were already homeschooling, we still felt the reverberations of the school closures. The one child who does attend school was suddenly home and having trouble assimilating to our normal routine.
So, routines changed. I think the silver lining of this pandemic is how much we learned about our own ability to adapt and lean on each other.
Like I said, routines were shaken up, supplies were run through double time, and some things got sidelined. For this coming year, we plan to focus on workable routines and stocking up to meet our schooling needs.
A word about routines…
I know not everyone loves routines. But I have found that giving kids a set schedule that they can rely on (even when they don’t love some things on it) gives them a sense of calm.
For those who prefer a more free-wheeling day, go for it. But even within spontaneity, there’s room for some guidance. So take what you like from this post and discard the rest. Every child and family is different, so none of this is one-size-fits-all.
For those who like a little more structure in their day, I’m going to offer some tips for managing school, home, and the needs of multiple kids.
Here we go…
How to Prepare for Going Back to School
Get Supplies without Overspending
Over the years, school supply lists have gotten longer and longer – and more expensive. Whether your kids are in kindergarten or high school, the lists are long and the costs add up.
That being said, these lists are important because, often times, teachers land up supplementing missing supplies with purchases made with their own money. To keep this from happening, we need to do our part in getting the needed supplies.
But that doesn’t mean we have to pay a lot for them!
When it comes to basic supplies, like pencils and dry erase markers, throughout the summer there are tons of sales at stores like Office Max and Target. Check each week for the deals that get you in the door, like notebooks for a quarter.
If you know one of your children is going to be needing something expensive, like a graphing calculator or laptop, start looking early for good deals or see if a friend has a used one they’d be willing to part with.
For supplies like paper towels and ziplock bags, I like to either buy in bulk at a warehouse club (like Sam’s Club or Costco), or get them at the dollar store. If I have extra, I can usually use them around the house.
The Dollar Store is your friend
The dollar store is surprisingly helpful for me as a homeschooler. From workbooks of morning starters, to multiplication flash cards, to cute erasers and knick-knacks that my girls love, they generally have what I need.
When panic buying isn’t emptying shelves, this is a great place to get hand sanitizer, soap, and baggies for your kids’ classes. It’s also great for supplies like dry erase markers, notebooks, and binders (though options are more limited here).
If you are homeschooling, most dollar stores carry classroom materials that you can use to jazz up your own family classroom (if you use one), and craft stuff for creative projects.
One thing to remember though, is that sometimes good sales at other stores will make the dollar store the more expensive option. Just bear that in mind when you are shopping.
Set a routine that you can all live with
My kids love routines. They need both the structure and the expectation of what comes next. This is important year round, but especially during the school year because it helps kids focus on what they need to do in blocks.
Now, I don’t plan out specific times for specific subjects, but I do have a general plan each day of what we are covering. I also set specific times for each child to have one-on-one instruction outside of the usual group learning time.
Whether you are homeschooling or sending your child to school, a set schedule will help your kids ease into the new school year. Knowing when meals, class, free time, and bedtime are will make it easier for everyone to transition from one part of their day to another.
This is really helpful when it comes to screen time. For my kids, if they don’t know exactly when they get their iPad time, then they’ll ask for it throughout the day. A set routine makes it easy for them to know, and me to enforce, the rules with less whining.
Prep meals and snacks
Is it just me, or do kids eat every 15 minutes from 6am to 8pm? If you know what I’m talking about, then let me let you in on a little secret.
Prepping snacks and meals for the kids ahead of time saves so much time and trouble. This is helpful when kids are home all day and always looking for a snack, but it also works for after school.
Pre-cut veggies, protein bars, fruit, and cheese sticks are some of my kids’ favorites. You can find some more ideas here.
I like to pack my kids a breakfast and lunch with some snacks in a lunch box or plastic bag that sits in the fridge. Whenever they’re hungry, they know they can just grab what they want. This saves them from asking and me from preparing.
But they also know that once the bag is empty, that’s it until dinner. Unintentionally, this taught my kids a little more about self-control and rationing (though the youngest sometimes needs a little extra because she runs through the bag too fast. We’re working on it…).
Sample back to school routine
Here’s a sample of our back to school routine. Obviously, if your kids aren’t homeschooled, you’ll need to skip the mid-morning part, but you get the idea.
- 7-8am: Make beds, get dressed, breakfast, and morning chores
- 8-10am: Group learning in the classroom (with snack)
- 10-11am: Free time
- 11-12pm: Lunch and afternoon chores
- 12-2pm: One-on-ones (when not with me, the other kids can have screen time)
- 2-5pm: Free time and outdoor play
- 5-6pm Dinner
- 6-6:30pm: Evening chores
- 6:30-8pm: Showers and screentime
- 8pm: Bedtime with a story
It’s going to be a school year like no other
Whether your child is homeschooling, distance learning, or returning to the classroom this fall, this school year isn’t going to be like the others. Emotionally, physically, and mentally, we and our kids are going to have to come to grips with a new normal.
I want the most important take-away from this post to be that flexibility and listening to your family is the most vital step in having a successful school year. How we adapt and meet each other’s needs will be the best indicator of success.
So – stock up on supplies, create routines, bolster their excitement for another year of learning… and be ready to pivot where needed!
I hope this post helps you prepare for the new school year frugally and intentionally. Going back to school this year is going to feel different for our kids and us, so preparing well will help us transition graciously.
What are some tips that you have for preparing for a new school year? I’d love to hear in the comments!
Looking for more on back to school prep? Check out these posts:
10 Ways to Prepare for an Awesome School Year
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