Brittany L. Morgan
It's almost time for winter break and you know what that means... It's not long before the kids start begging for sugary treats, sleep overs, and relaxed schedules. And who are we parents to say no to those sweet faces? It's easy to get off a regular school schedule during winter break, but here are 6 great tips to minimize school chaos once second semester starts!
1. Clean and declutter. Messy and cluttered is no way to start the second half of the school year. Before the kids go back to school, get the entire family on board to tidy up the house. Go through clothing and get rid of outgrown threads. Make sure to clean up and organize each child's study area. Be sure to trash outdated papers and schedules.
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2. Keep ONE calendar. It’s important for busy families to keep an up-to-date family calendar. It’s even more important to have only one calendar. If you have more than one calendar, you run the risk of “double booking” yourself. Make sure to list both personal and school activities on the calendar. It’s also a good idea to color-code your calendar by similar activities. For example, mark tests in red, recreational activities in green and chores in blue. Being able to look at a calendar and know exactly where everyone is at a given moment can greatly reduce stress for everyone. Be sure to post the family calendar where everyone can see it like next to the refrigerator.
3. Mark your student planner. Older students should use a student planner with dividers and planning calendars to keep track of test dates, homework and after school activities. Older students should also keep a “to do list” for the following day. If you spend 15 minutes a day preparing a “to do list” for the following day with your child, it will reduce stress by giving your child a better understanding of what is expected and what needs to be done.
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4. Gather materials. After you’ve cleaned and organized your home make a list of everything needed for the upcoming semester. Restock items that you're child has run out of during the first half of the school year.
5. Get into routine. Groggy and out-of-synch is no way to start a new semester! A few days before school starts, get your child back into a school sleep schedule. Make sure they go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
6. Practice makes perfect. For kids starting kindergarten, have a practice school day. Get them up, dressed, fed and in the car in a timely manner. Make sure you visit the school and set up a time to meet with teachers and other staff that will come in contact with your child during the school day.