Back To School
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As schools around the country begin welcoming kids back from summer break, parents are thinking of supplies and equipment their kids will need for the start of the school year. But for many, heading back to school isn’t just about physical needs. It’s about emotional preparation as well.
Let’s start with the physical. The first thing you’ll need is a clipboard. The night before school run through a checklist to make sure your child has all of their supplies packed. Most school districts provide supply lists for parents to follow and these make it easy to cover all the necessities for the school year. And get your kids involved in creating their own checklists that they can use each night. Its empowering and you can compliment them when they’re doing a good job.
From Pre-K to College, try and find “one-stop shopping” to save time. Stores like Staples carry things from crayons to laptops so any age is covered. For school supplies, Staples carries a full range of laptops and desktops such as the HP DV6-3010 Notebook and also offers a full range of repair and support services from Staples® EasyTech. 
Parents can feel secure about purchasing a new laptop from Staples with the new no-risk “Extended Service Plan.” This easy and worry-free option includes technical support and protection plans perfect for students. If the plan is never used, customers can get reimbursed for their initial investment. This program is not available at all Staples stores, so be sure to check with your local store for more information.
And when it comes to clothes, we all know our kids want the most fashionable things out there! It’s all about self esteem. For example, Sears has some really cool and affordable back to school fashions this year, like leggings and military jackets. This year they are on a mission to find the top tween style maker through it’s “Crush Your Style” contest. Participants can visit www.crushyourstyle.com to enter challenges issued by the elite Style Crush Panel of Experts. 
The contestant with most creative outfits will win the title of Sears Style Maker plus $50,000 and a family trip to a global fashion destination of their choice.
Once kids get home it’s important to help them prioritize. Homework, chores and extracurricular activities have to be scheduled, and of course homework comes first! And have fun with it. By the afternoon kids are losing steam, and adding a snack to a new homework routine can provide some incentive. For example, Totino’s snacks are easy and fast to heat up - they guarantee smiles as one of kids’ favorite things and this back-to-school season, they are offering 2 Box Tops per package. That’s $2 million cash for schools that’s available!
You can also help manage a busy school schedule by having a dry erase board to list daily duties and appointments. Let the kids update it. You just review. Again, it’s empowering them.
Now on to the emotional side of starting a new school year. The most important thing to do as a parent is keep those lines of communication open. Start by asking them three things they are most worried about and three things they are most excited about going back to school and discuss those items. Getting it out in the open ahead of time may reduce some of their stress. You also have to realize that you can’t fix everything, so resist that urge.
If they’re having a problem later, maybe try some role-playing and act out what’s wrong. Just be sure to listen and keep communicating and everyone will be fine!
