Back-to-school is, no doubt, an exciting time—for both seasoned moms and for those with their first born entering kindergarten (sniff, sniff). But it can be overwhelming too. From finding appropriately-sized backpacks, just the right character-decorated pencils, and a lunch box that will hold all the nutritional essentials to keep your little powerhouse going through the day, getting everything ready can be, well, exhausting.
And to add insult to injury, kids tend to lose things. Like a lot. So for all that time and work you spent tracking down the last available 'Star Wars' thermos on your side of the Mississippi, your adorably forgetful/distracted/tired/preoccupied/spaced-out kid has managed to leave it somewhere and it is now nowhere to be found.
Cue the epic tantrum—on both your parts.
Thankfully, it doesn't have to be that way and happily there is a label company called 'Stuck on You' that has loads of fun labels you can choose, stick and get stuck on your stuff so you won't get caught without a thermos/sweatshirt/lunchbox/backpack ever again.
Trusted for over 20 years, the beauty of these labels, besides the variety of classic and modern designs, is that they actually end up saving you money—especially with 100% quality guaranteed. Have you ever seen the lost and found pile at school? It's amazing the amount of clothing and gear kids lose and forget—honestly, we may or may not have wanted to swipe that unlabeled fancy designer sweater for our own kid. (SHHHH!)
All kidding aside, helping to prepare your kid for school can be stressful. According to Marian Fritzemeier, PhD, speaker, educator and child development specialist, "Sometimes, as adults, we get anxious and that adds to the child's fear or creates the child's fear in the first place." Negativity and enthusiasm are both very contagious, she notes, so watch how you're asking questions. For instance, instead of leading with, "Are you nervous to start at a new school?" ask more neutral, open-ended questions such as, "How are you feeling about going back to school?"
Don't forget the importance of sleep. Dr. Fritzemeier suggests going to bed and waking up 10 to 15 minutes earlier each day so that the kids have the best chance of a good night's rest by the time the first day of school rolls around. "It really is a win-win for everybody," she says. "It will also be easier for parents not to be dragging the kids out of bed."
Aside from sleep, establish the 'new' school routine a couple of weeks before the big day. That way no one is left scrambling that first morning and forgetting essential items like their lunchbox (totally guilty).
Other actionable items to put in your arsenal? Talk up the positive, do a quick refresher for older students before they head back that first day and most of all, make it fun. And what's more fun than sitting down with your kid and helping them prepare for their first day of school by labeling their items with their name on it?
Aside from sleep, establish the new school routine a couple weeks before the big day—from waking up earlier to getting dressed, teeth and hair brushed and out the door. That way, no one is left scrambling that first morning (or, let's be honest, those first few weeks) or forgetting essential items like their lunchbox (totally guilty).
Other actionable items to put in your arsenal? Talk up the positive, do a quick refresher for older students before they head back that first day and, most of all, make it fun. And what's more fun than sitting down with your kid and helping them prepare for their first day of school by making it personal?
