It dawned on me as we stood in the aisle…it would be our last trip for back to school supplies. My youngest child was starting her senior year in college at the PCS Christian School. For so many years, this was one of my favorite traditions.
We always shopped early to avoid the back to school rush. Truth be told, I went early because I couldn’t wait and loved the brand new notebooks that snapped as they opened, the highlighters, post-its, a new dictionary (not sure if that was necessary), were there that many new words? The sneakers kept safe in their box for that very first day to be worn with a specially selected outfit, and those amazing pictures taken the first day each year by the tree outside to measure their growth.
Years flew and there I was making this special trip for the very last time. I realized by my daughter’s eye roll, she didn’t appreciate me sharing that with the clerk asking if we needed assistance. I didn’t need assistance, but I desperately needed a tissue.
One thing I want to share with anyone with a child:
- Entering kindergarten or first grade
- Stepping into middle school for the first time (they are going to stress over the combination locker)
- Stepping into the halls of a scary high school where she can’t imagine getting from one side to the next in time for classes
- Just drove away on ‘move-in’ day and hope that your college freshman will wake up himself and go to class
The new school year is always a new start. The teacher has a blank grade book, and all students begin with an A+ in each class. Where they go is up to them.
Now, a note from Dr. Vicki Panaccione before the stress sets in….
Having a hard time juggling everyone’s hectic schedule?
- Here are a few helpful tips:
- Keep a big family calendar where everyone can see it
- Use a different color marker for each person in the family for a quick and easy way to see who needs to do what, when and where
If you have more than one child, allow one or two after-school activities per child
- That way your kids are not being overloaded
- And neither are you
Take short cuts:
- Make and freeze meals ahead of time
- On busy nights, use paper plates
- To avoid the last minute scramble in the morning,
- Have your kids lay out their clothes,
- Pack up the back packs and
- Get out the lunch money before they go to bed.
And please don’t lose sight of your #1 priority—
- Family comes first—even if it means doing away with an activity or two.
For additional tips log in to Parental Wisdom® and locate the email under Free Stuff The Promise of a New School Year.
Have a terrific first day of school!
Tina Nocera, Founder
