What Are You Doing to Make Your Kids’ Back-to-School Experience a Positive One?

I always tell the kids how great it is to be going back to school and how much I looked foward to the new school year when I was their age.

Tha main thing is to be involved.

We take a tasty snack break and review each day's happenings. I can get as much of a clue from what goes unsaid as I can from what I'm told as to how their days went.. Praise and curiosity about their opinions make my little ones blossom and I like to think this helps me spot problems before they get too big and so I can take appropriate action.

My daughter is in collage and I try to help her keep a positive attitude when she gets overly stressed.

Just helping out in any way that I can and keeping them positive.

We are involved in our child's education. We take time to discuss the school day, give praies and encouragement and help. We give rewards and special treats every week. garrettsambo@aol.com

Just taking time to listen and letting them know that regardless of how things go at school, I love them very much.

Being more involved in homework - we have one that school is hard for and one that makes straight A's without even trying, so helping our struggling teen always makes a big difference in her attitude and study habits.

I sign the words, "I love you", to my son everyday as he gets on his bus and he signs them back to me. We can't go one day without doing it. I also put a note in his lunch everyday letting him know how special he is and put a positive inspirational note to pick him up in case he's having a bad day.

We talk about the good things as well as the bad daily. That way nothing ever builds up that is difficult to deal with

We talk after school over snacks.

My son started kindergarten this year, so we went to the public library to get him a library card. He loves to check out books and dvd's. I'ts never to early to encourage reading at any age.

I put a note in her lunch to let her know I'm thinking about her.

My kids get a lot of homework but I don't make them do it all at once. They seem to do better with short breaks after doing a paper or two and then relaxing for a bit.

I encourage new vocabulary!

I read to them every night during dinner. (Right now, we're in the middle of "Johnny Tremain.")

We set down at dinner each night and go over the kids day. Its their time to tell us all about school

To make my kids’ back-to-school experience a positive one we read lots of books about it and had them help prepare for the first day.

I let her know mama is always thinking about her when she'' away.

He' s now aware he is in a resource class and sometimes gets frustrated, so letting him know it's ok to learn at his own pace and to accept himself..

Share our days during family dinner. Play with the dictionary. Read together. Have fun.

I am reading to them and making sure that they know I am here to help them if they need it.

I always ask what they are doing in school and make sure they are doing their homework and are doing well in school.

our school has been back in for a couple months now,,but with a recent death in our school from swine flu..we are now in the process of trying to convience our children that they can return to school and be safe.

with after school activities such as soccer practice and games,part time jobs and the like we have started eating around 6 pm so we can all eat together :)

I make sure my girls get plenty of sleep each night and eat a good breakfast each moring. We do homework as soon as they get home so that they can relax a little for the rest of the day. Thank you!

When I was growing up my mother always purchased me a new "outfit" to wear to school for each day of the week for the first week of school, that was 5 new outfits! I used to get so excited about all my new clothes that I actually couldn't wait for each and everyday to start because I wanted to wear my new clothes to school and show my friends and feel special (confident). I am continuing this tradition with my own children today and I find that if I allow them to choose clothes that they think are "cool" and they pass with my approval, then my kids are going to be much more motivated and excited about getting up in the morning and going to school than if I didn't give them some incentive at the start of the new school season to get going. I also make sure that they always are equipped with their favorite snacks when they go to school to keep them energized, happy and healthy. These may sound like little "things" but it works for us! Thanks so much for the chance to enter.

My children are teens--so I get them to help me make dinner---this always gets us talking about boyfriends, best friends, projects, classes etc.---over the weekend each week I plan out everyone's activities --and each child gets assigned one day to be my helper based on their availability --and their fondness for grating and chopping.

My snoogs is only two but he will be starting preschool or daycare any day now and I want to get him excited about it - and only keep him part time - make sure when he's not there we spend a lot of quality time together. I'll make sure he gets plenty of sleep, as this can effect so much including their capacity to learn.

We always plan their first holiday party which is Halloween. We talk about them making new friends they can invite and what kind of food and decorations they want. It gets them actively engaged in the idea they will meet new people and have a positive experience. That always helps get them past the anxiety of a new class. We also talk about planning what they will wear the first week of school and then we go shopping for a brand new bookbag. Each year we donate the bookbag from the previous year to a shelter for women and children from abusive situations. It teaches them to share what they have with others.

We keep up with their reading and sleep schedule so they're not exhausted the first weeks back, it makes things a lot easier!

We read books daily over the summer and talked about moving up to a new grade to get ready for the new school year.

Since we homeschool, everything we do makes school a positive experience. Specifically we buy curricula that meets my daughter where she is so she is both challenged and is having fun learning!

We all sit around together at dinner time and talk about our day

We love shopping for back-to-school supplies and clothes. It is already chilly outside here in East Tennessee so new clothes help! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net

Getting my niece to talk about her day at school is tough but I find that if we play together while talking I find out a lot more about her day than if I just ask her out right!

Sometimes kids don't want to share their thoughts about school directly and face to face. I found my kids like to talk when we are involved in doing something else like a shared project or when traveling somewhere. Then they are more likely to talk about things, and more open to talking about possible solutions to problems. Things just work better when they don't feel pressured to talk.

We always talk about what happened at school. Ive been putting a note in her lunch bag with a cute saying or to I let her know I love her and Im thinking about her. She says it really makes her happy to see the notes. We also spend time reviewing her homework together. I let my child know that I am always available to listen and help her.

We switch their bedtime to school bedtime several weeks before school starts so that they're not tired and cranky the first week!

We always talk about their day when they get home and talk about our favorite part of their day at dinner.

We hook up with one or more of their friends who attend the same school, and moms, dads, and kids all go together on the first day.

driving them to and from school, there's just to much unsupervised, "trouble waiting to happen" on the bus and at the bus stop

I keep up with what they are doing- believe me that is easier said than done as they get older.

talk about their day at dinner

This is our first year for school, so I am making sure that I show a lot of interest in what my son does every day and show him how proud I am of his work! THANKS!

I like them to go with a plan & the knowledge that I have the utmost confidence in their abilities.

i tell them to finish school and if wanting to go to collage cuz they will appreciate when they get older from retirement to just having money.dont hold back your dreams or wishes

We make sure they know we support them emotionally and show a genuine interest in their development.

My son helps pack his lunch but when he's not looking I add a special extra treat. It may be a piece of candy or a litte note.

I'm trying to make homework time more fun and enjoyable by letting the kids play their favorite music in the background (softly, of course), making them special surprise snacks while they work, and making it a tradition of sitting down with a game or video when they're done as a little reward for their efforts!

Encouraging them.....stay in school..... =D

I send them a care package full of all their comfort foods. The best is a Pepperoni Roll!

My son is away at college and I know that it can be hard to be away from home. I send him care packages with home made goodies and send him new clothes now and then. I also send him a little bit of extra spending cash since he works fulltime as well as goes to school and things are pretty tight.

I gave them a care package for college of a prepaid cell phone, prepaid visa (with a limit), and gift cards for healthy restaurants. I make sure they know I am here anytime they need me, and that makes me feel better too.

I think that establishing a back to school routine the first few weeks of school is very important in keeping the school year running smoothly. I do everything I can to get into habits right away so that my kids know that they are expected to do homework right after school and get to bed on time and wake up with enough time to get ready in the morning and have breakfast.

For the first school week of the year, the tradition here is dinner every night is kid's choice, even if that means burgers or pizza every night.

It's all about prayer!

Be being excited for him and letting him help shop for school supplies.

gjsrjs@sbcglobal.net

i send notes with them in their lunch boxes, backpacks and books

I like to leave my kids notes on there napkins in there lunch box

My daughter started 8th grade, her first time in school after homeschooling her whole life. We have tried to make the transition positive by being excited for her and helping her get organized.

over the summer we kept the kids active in reading, spelling, math, and some life science things, so that when they returned, they wouldnt be out of practice or lagging in their learning. thx!

I think that the best way to help is to be positive and encouraging. Ask if they need help and be patient. Also getting some new things make them excited about school. Letting them also choose their notebooks and backpacks and those kinds of things.

My kids are bored to tears at school. The live no kid behind is making things move so slow. It should be fun but challenging.

School should be fun and rewarding and something to look forward to. Keep a positive outlook about it and always be excited about what your kids are learning.

I use positive reinforcement for good behavior in school such as pizza treats, having his friends over for movie night and going for ice cream!

My little one just started kindergarten, and I'm very lucky to work in the same school, so I get to drop by and visit him. He's so excited to see his mom during the day. He's really loving school and feels very comfortable knowing I am so close.

My little one will enter preschool very soon - he's two so I'm making sure he's fully potty trained and I want to get him excited about being with other kids and playing new games.

I don't have kids, but I'd sure like to win the prize!

My youngest child is 29 but I have 4 grandkids coming up. So.............

My son is starting Kindergarten. We took pictures an let him take his time so he doesn't get frustrated in the mornings.

My "baby" is in her final semester of college, so I just keep reminding her of how far she has come and how close the goal truly is!

Looking forward to a great school year.

Like in the old song, accentuate the positive. Remind your children of all the good things they do and learn in class, get them involved in getting things ready for the school year. If you show them that school is something to look forword to , you will all be happier and less stressed.

Five years ago, my son was son was diagnosed with PDD, ODD, and ADHD. His psychiatrist told me that he would never be mainstreamed. After a lot of research, I found that my insurance wouldn't cover the type of treatment most likely to work for him, so I decided to make getting him ready a full-time job and homeschooling him until I felt that he was ready to attend school with other children. As a single mother, this meant seriously downsizing everything (where I lived, what type of 'extras' we could buy [none]), but it has been well worth it, and he has been going to school now for the past two years without an IEP. This year I enrolled him in a charter school with a stricter discipline policy, and he loves it because as he says, "In second grade, everyone was busy running around and making a lot of noise, and we couldn't learn anything". He likes having 'unique' pencils and notebooks, so we have fun choosing his school supplies.

We make a big day of getting ready for school. We first go out for school supplies. Then off clothes shopping, shoe shopping, we go out for lunch, then to get haircuts. This has been a tradition since starting nursery school, and now my kids are in high school, and it's still a day that we all look forward to!

We like shopping together for school supplies and new school clothes! Great giveaway! Thanks!

we took each of the kids school shopping seperately, so they each got a little one-on-one time

I am working with the kids to put together some interesting items for their web pages, like some nicely edited videos of their vacation. They can share with their friends that way.

I don't have any kids, but this prize would be great especially when Christmas time rolls around.

Notes in lunchbag. Hugs every morning and every evening. family game night once a week.

I'm letting my kiddos participate in the process. They've helped me shop for supplies, plan lunches, etc.

My daughter is 7 and will be entering 2nd grade this year. To prepare her for the school year and make sure that she has a positive experience we go back to school shopping letting her pick out her own clothes so that she feels comfortable with what she wears. Normally, on this day we will pick out a few extra things and take them to our local homeless shelter and my daughter will donate some clothes to a child that may not be able to afford new school clothes. This lets my daughter see how fortunate she is and how great it is to help others in need. We teach her that you must be nice to everyone you encounter, because you never know what kind of situation the other person may be in. We start about a week early and get in the routine of going to bed earlier and getting up early so that she's ready for that on the first day. She makes sure to eat her breakfast that she helps me prepare so that she has her "brain food" and is ready to attack the day with learning :)

To get my daughter prepared we go and get the new clothes, supplies and she gets a fresh haircut for the school year. When we shop I let her help me pick out her clothes and she will even pick things out for herself. A few days before school we meet her new teacher and see if any of her friends will be in the same class as her.

I have my son do activity papers often, so that he keeps what he has learned fresh in his mind and won't forget a lot that he has learned. Also, I let him pick out a lot of his school supplies and items, so he will feel more comfortable. Also, we went and met his teacher and found out other students that would be in his class. He seems to be really happy with his new teacher and fellow classmates, so the transition should go much smoother.

No children in this household but your wonderful prize would be a blessing to send loved ones something dear.

I'm raising my grandson, who is 7, and just started second grade. When we went to "sneak a peak" day at his school, I was really excited to see which teacher he was placed with. While I genuinely DO think he has the best one, I made a big deal out of how good a teacher she is, and how glad I am that he has her this year. Also made much over having some of his friends from last year in the class, and how much fun they were going to have learning so many new and interesting things this year. Last year he struggled with a less than supportive teacher after having to change schools in the middle of the year. This year he is excited to get up in the morning and looking forward to the day!

To make the transition a positive one, we go to the library and read books all about going to school- the first day of school, how much fun school can be, funny things that happen in school.

My kids are having a great summer but we continue to talk about school. We visit the park near the school and they get excited about the new school year.

Get all the clothes and supplies ahead of time and get the kids on an early bed schedule,these thigs will make school a positive experience. jelly15301@gmail.com

make sure they have everything they need in terms of school supplies and questions answered (if starting something brand new that year!)

My oldest, 7-yr old boy, will be starting 2nd grade. This will be his first year in the elementary school (K and 1st are in a different building). We already have his school supplies, but we are letting him pick out his backpack (he wants a messenger bag). We have been trying to keep him prepared for school by having him do the worksheets the school sent home as well as ones we purchased at the bookstore. He loves to read, so he has kept up with that all summer. I plan on taking him to his new school before it starts just to see where his class his and maybe meet his teacher, so he isn't lost that first day. That Friday before school starts (the next Wednesday), my huband and I both took a vacation day to surprise him with a trip to the local amusement park. He loves school, but with starting a new school with a bunch of new kids, has him a little nervous, so we are trying to prepare him as best we can.

We have a big bag in the garage with "new" clothes and backpacks. They don't get to wear them until school starts, even though they've already asked to. lol

I always take the kids shopping with me to pick out stuff that they like. We also like to go out for ice cream to a local place we love the night before school starts to have fun and get their minds off the stress of it.

we will try to get a heads up by the teachers as to what to expect so we can talk to him about what's going to happen

A great contest to be able to buy some warm hearted gifts!

We try to do a little shopping all thru the summer so the cost doesn't seem as bad and we are not rushing it all the last few days of summer.
I also make sure they have done their summer reading so they will be set to write those first papers when school starts.

I help out my mother in law by keeping her up to date on how her son is doing. He is in the U.S. Military and being a parent to a service member is one of the most stressful jobs there is. I keep her updated on all that is going on and send pictures. We also try to visit as much as possible.

My daughter and 7 yr old grandson come by many times during the week, my husband and I love having them here to swim and talk to our grandson, about what he thinks he will be doing in 2nd grade this year, communication is always the key phrase in our household with him, he is so creative and smart, we always enjoy his visits and his talks with us, we love him so much we can't stand it.

We are getting excited about having new friends to do things with!

What a great idea !

I help my sons children altering school clothes so they fit properly and help with some school supplies.

I help my sons children altering there school clothes to fit properly and help with supplies.

I don't have kids at home, but I'm easing the transition for many little ones by providing reassuring back to school themed picture books through my job at the library.

I would love to win this !

JeansandTs@hotmail.com
I am so freaked out. You would think it would be easier the second time around. My Granddaughter's first day of school is coming up. I am a mess!! I do not remember feeling like this with my son. I will walk her to the bus stop everyday to make it easier for her. We are already done shopping.

Well I always make sure that they have all thweir clothes and supplies shopping done weeks before school starts. That is good for them

No kids at home right now, so I'll just be helping the neighbors and friends get organized and get shopping done.

We take a small gift for the teacher for the first day. It makes the child excited about getting to school to give the gift, and it helps the teacher remember the child in a special way when she is getting to know the entire group.

My youngest will be a junior in college, very independent, so there isn't much for me to do to prepare him for the school year ahead. I'm not complaining........after raising 5 children, this is a wonderful change!!

kg4rmt at arrl dot net

I let them pick out all their school supples to get them excited. Then we have friendly competitions after dinner on spelling and math. The reward is pencils and other school related items.

We have been working on my daughters math skills. She has also keep in touch with her school friends which will make it so much easier on the first day.

I am helping my daughter find things for her college dorm that will make her feel at home and comfortable being away from her actual home!

I let them help pick out back-to-school clothes and supplies. Giving them a choice makes shopping easier. Everything else just seems to fall into place.

This is his first time going to school so everything is new and exciting to him about it!

I never really had to encourage them to enjoy going back to school. They were ready to do so by the end of summer. They did enjoy shopping for the new things they needed for the school year, especially some new clothes (my girls were shopping divas from the getgo!).

Not much I need to do. They both are so excited to start back again.

We started buying items early this year. Because our budget is tight we are buying things along the way instead at the last minute. I have also been talking to my daughter about how she is feeling now that school is almost back in session. I also take the afternoon off the first day so that when she gets home we can talk about how things went and if there were any issues.

buying back to school suppies is our annual mother-daughter day. Nothing is allowed to distract from each other. No phone, computer or other people. We get doughnuts for breakfast then go to special stores, like the mall and stationary stores. Mostly just to look...but you never know. Lunch of her choice. Then we hit kohls, target and walmart. After this day she is excited about going to school with all the stuff she picked with a non-preoccupied mom.

I am having my son tutored so that he can keep up to date throughout the summer. I will also be arranging a trip to the school a week or so before the start so he can see his new classroom and meet his new teacher.

All summer, we work on workbooks pertaining to the grade that my children will be going into in September. They write in decorated journals that they picked out on their own. They write about simple things and about the museums and parks that we visit during the summer. We go to the library each week and pick out books to read, out loud and to themselves. The most fun is shopping for new bookbags, school supplies and clothing. Since my children have been keeping up with their studies all summer, in a non-pressured way, they are all ready and set to go back to school when the first day arrives.

I take my daughter to the library so that she can practice her reading skills. I let her pick out two books and she gets to read them to me.

I am letting them pick out a special treat at the store

We are talking to older kids who have "been there, done that". My son is about to start kindergarten. We are getting positive feedback from the older ones.

I am reading boos about preschool and talking about it each day with him to prepare him for his first day of school next month. I know it will still be hard on both of us the first day but I want him to have some idea of what to expect.

Shopping is always an opportunity to bond

We let our daughter help pick out new clothes, shoes, and a messenger bag. We also take her to Barnes and Nobles to buy some new books that she will enjoy reading.

They get their hair cut and love to pick out new clothes and shoes.

A positive experience is preparing them to go back. Let them pick their own clothes, own school supplies and wish them well.....

I think a big thing that is easy to overlook is appealing school supplies. Sure, the plain folders are cheaper, but kids will want to use something that is fun and attractive over something that feels sterile. Investing a few extra dollar to get them interested is worth it.

I take my grandsons to a couple of their favorite stores and let them pick out some of the clothes that THEY really like. That way they feel like they are 'just like the rest of the kids'. God's Blessings to all...
grammyrivard@live.com

This year I'm making sure my daughter doesn't miss orientation! Last year we were on vacation, and she missed the opportunity to go in and meet her teacher before school officially began. When I brought her to school the first day she was overwhelmed with emotion and started crying in the classroom. This year, I'm going to make sure we don't miss it, so the first day of school she is totally comfortable and full of smiles!

new haircut and pedicure for my daughter always gets her excited to go back to school and show off her new do!

This is the first year my daughter has wanted to have a new haircut to go back to school. I took her to a good salon, bought all the hair styling products they recommended, and then we headed over to Kohls so she could find an outfit that would look good with her new hair. This is the FIRST year she hasn't come home in tears the first day of school, so it was worth every penny!

I love taking my daughter shopping for new clothes. We have a tradition, we go shopping, have lunch together, get hair cuts, and sometimes if time allows we do a movie. It is a just a very fun Mother/Daughter day!! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

I took my girls on a fun back-to-school shopping trip whick also included our mother/daughter special time. It was incredibly fun and the girls are so siked with thier new gear!

We always go together to get school supplies, with a boy and a girl it's fun to see their differences in what they pick out.

We homeschool. So, it's always a positive experience.

I help the guy I date get his boys ready for school. (ages 7 & 8) Picking out the things they like to make the experience a positive one. And we play math games, spelling games, do art and sing together too, so when they go back to school they are still in practice for all of this.

My daughter struggles with math, so I made sure we did some math work every week. Hopefully this will help her when school starts back up.

I don't have any children but what I would be doing if I did would be buying them the fanciest trapper-keepers they can find so that they'll be excited to go back to school and so they'll be certain to be ridiculed mecilessly by the other children. Ah, life's earliest learning experiences are still the best! Hmm, maybe it's just as well that I don't have any children...

Take the kids on a fun back to school shopping trip. Even the very young ones can be allowed to choose some of their outfits and supplies. Afterwards, go to a favorite spot for lunch.

We involve them in deciding what clothes and accessories they want for school. It helps make them feel part of it all and have something to look forward to on the first day.

They help pick out all their new clothes and school supplies.

I always let them pick school supplies that they would like to fit thier personality, and a little note or card in the backpack on the first day is always an uplifting thing.

We always bought new clothes for school and new supplies, made then feel great

My three are all going to be in Middle School this year (I will not cry.... I will not cry....) and my daughter has been nervous about it. We've gone out and done shopping alone so that she can talk about her feelings and fears.
This summer has been good for her. She has a strong desire to be a chef and she's in charge of looking up rec eipes and finding ideas for dinners. It helps her learn to organize.
We live close to the beach so we spend a lot of time there!

I have great memories of shopping for school supplies and new clothes.

My child doesn't go back till the end of August, but we have began talk about 1st grade, and how exciting it is going to be. I hope by putting the subject into a positive light he will look forward to going back.

JustMe zttmm1314@yahoo.com// My daughter is in the navy, so I have my grandchildren to get ready for school. To make this extra special for them, I sent my daughter some blank card stock. I asked her to make a drawing, like kids would do, and to draw something "navy" so the kids would get an idea of what she see........ like ocean waves, a fish jumping out of water, a ship, ship's flags, etc. I would then put a card in their lunch box, like on every Monday so the kids would know mom is thinking of them attending school. I hope it helps promote good behavior and a bit more eagerness to learn so mom can be proud of them.

Making sure they've had a summer full of memories that will both last a lifetime and assure an A+ on their "What I Did This Summer" essay--especially since some of their fun was reading and writing plays, which help their writing and social skills--make them both grateful for vacations and anxious to get back to school.

new clothes and new folders and books

We always take a day right before school starts and go to the park/beach as a whole family so we can get the last relaxing day of summer vacation. I treat the first day of school as a celebration for everyone.

Mine are teens so it's all about the clothes shopping. We are having a back to school bash really soon before the kids go back.

i make sure they have all the things they need, and have a back to school party for them for when they get home!

I relate my back to school experiences to my young grandchildren. I tell them stories of meeting new friends and fun projects that I did in school.

I took her back to school shopping, then tell her that she can't wear any of the new things until school starts so they don't get messed up before school even starts... she can't wait to start school to wear the new cool things she picked out. We also are constantly talking about how she's going to see her new friends and wear her new Wizards of Waverly Place messenger style backpack. (as girls, we're all about the style)

We make homemade sugar cookies every year. These are in the shape of buses, A's, a school house and an apple. The kids love making cookies and it helps them start the school year on a positive note.
We also go shopping during tax free weekend so we save money and the kids enjoy going to get their school supplies.

I am just really positive about it. I get them excited by telling them they will see all their friends and get to meet new people and emphasize how fun learning is.

Went school shopping, girls were all smiles and looking forward to seeing friends.

Never stop studying. Do a little bit everyday to make the transition easier

We have been buying some pretty new clothes for my daughters first day back and have been talking about how great it is going to be to get backt to school and be with her school buddies once again.

By getting them new things for school - sneakers, backpack, lunchbag, etc - and having them make the selections.

making sure they have the supplies they require. The rest they need, and those spanking new back to school shoes they want.

I take each child out, just the two of us, to go clothes shopping for back to school, and then we have lunch out. It has become a ritual that show the children they are special and important, and that going back to school is something to be excited about.

I have been getting the kids to bed earlier and reminding my daughter of all her friends she will see when she goes back.

We start by setting bed times closer to the school bed times. We begin a launch pad area where they can find everything. We go through their clothes and start to get rid of stuff that won't fit. By the time school comes they are excited and ready!

I think cards are great to give your kids when they have little and big achievements at school...just an extra reminder that you are proud of their accomplishments.

We homeschool our three kids so there is never any stress associated with going "back to school" because they never leave ! We don't like that the public schools are largely interested in turning out little automatons instead of individuals with unique tastes and talents.

a couple of weeks before school starts, they kids go to bed earlier, to have less of a problem adjusting their sleep schedule once school starts.
Thanks for the giveaway!

We're keeping them busy with learning games. Soon, it'll be school supply shopping for them.

Leave it to Hallmark to think of making cards for going back to school. We love Hallmark so much and I need to pick up a couple of these cards for my niece and nephew who are going to be going off to college for the first time this year. Wonderful idea of Hallmark to think of this.
Thanks so much for this giveaway!

we are meeting his teacher

I am helping my middle school child by giving her tips on organization and study skills!

we start sending them to bed earlier and earlier

We go through the Sunday ads together and plan out our school supply purchasing strategy. Then we make a day of back to school shopping, including lunch out and an afternoon juice smoothie treat. While doing our own shopping the girls also get to pick out supplies to donate to the local school supply drive (if you plot out the sales right, $10-$20 can practically fill up a donation barrel). Then the day before school starts we also go grocery shopping and pick out lunch items for the week. You never know if last year's acceptable peanut butter and jelly sandwiches won't make the cut this year. Since they are also starting to make their own lunches, the element of choice makes things easier. They know in advance that junk food items will be vetoed, so that is rarely an issue. While doing the back to school supply and food shopping, we discuss any back to school issues that they may have.

we do a summer clean and donate and get things organized so things go smoother and easier. we set out clothers the night beofre and teach them to be prepared

My kids are out of school now but I used to get their clothes ready, get all their supplies packed and make sure they had money or a lunch.

I'm moving in the dorm with them-at least that's what my husband says. No. I'll limit my texts to one a day, and phone to one a week, and will fade from there. :(

Going through Sundays sales fliers, and choosing new supplies and clothes. In this economy, we are sticking to a budget, and by letting her see the difference between wants and needs it helps her understand why a budget is important and teaches financial lessons. With ther 'wants' she is saving or using her allowance (with some help) I think by making a distinction between wants and needs and how thy are purchased will benefit her alot down the road!
Of course, its alot of fun,because we get to do alot of window shopping, and play 'what if we had millions!'

The summer flies by, and so does this time I have with her.
I am going to enjoy everyday of the summer together. Let her make the choices of her school supplies. Communicate and encourage her to try her best.

When we have dinner, I ask what they're looking forward to with school, and if they're worried about anything. Then we discuss those things, and how to handle them. I think having the knowledge of how to handle things will make it easier for them to deal with, and put them at ease, rather than walking in on Day 1, full of anxiety.

I have already started by making bedtime a little earlier, laying out our clothes before bed (this is super exciting for some reason!) taking our bath, and reading a story with some warm milk. This has been our ritual forever and it probably will continue forever! But we are doing it slightly earlier to accomodate for school. We're also talking about school issues, like setting goals and planning for extracurriculars. And we've got a lunch chart made up that I found from Martha Stewart so the kids can help pick out their own lunches!

letting them enjoy whats left of summer

I try to start getting them up earlier in the morning a few weeks before school starts so that they can start to get back into the routine. I think this makes the transition much easier for them.