Back to school HELP! :)

I like to get a head start on everything !! It is July and I am already looking at school supplies. First thing Id o is go to my child's school on the Cumberland Cointy website and get a "general" list for there grade so I know what to keep an eye on as far as bargains. http://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/Profiles.htm

Here are a few of my favorite back to school tips to get you started:
CLOTHES
Every year when the back-to-school sale ads start arriving in the mail, I sit down with my 2 daughters and we start with paper and pens, at their dressers. We go through each and every piece of clothing, listing what they have that is in good condition and can be used as school clothes, boogy-ing the rest to charity or the garbage can. Now each child has a list that tells what they have. Do they need underwear? Look at the list. Who has 8 pairs of jeans but no nice shirts? Who has 5 pairs of shoes and no socks? The list of "haves" tells us what the "don't haves" are, so makig a shopping list is a piece of cake. Then we shop, sticking to the list of needs, instead of buying what is cute and coming home and seeing that we still forgot the socks and underwear. If the budget allows, I allow each child to choose one outfit that is not on the "need" list, to wear for the first day of school or whatever. It takes a day or two to get ready to head out shopping, but the dresser drawers get a good "going-through" which they need twice a year anyway. . If necessary, set your timer and do 15 minutes at once, then quit. Or try an hour, do what you can, then come back again tomorrow. We save TONS of money on school clothes this way. Because we know what we have and what we need, impulse shopping is kept to a minimum. Also I keep in mind over the summer that summer lcothes are on sale(50 to 80 off) We live in NC so it is normally warm till the beginning of OCT. I get clothes that are on sale to start the year off with and get warmer clothes as they go on sale also. Please check www.retailmenot.com for coupons on your favorite stores such as OLD NAVY, MACY's, and KOHL's


SUPPLIES

As I said I buy my supplies early and in bulk. I know my children's teacher will probably ask for a few extra items but being I am not doing all my shopping at once it does not put a strain on my family when school starts. I buy extra notebooks, crayone, pencils and glue sticks. These items will be full price later on in the year plus it is always nice to buy a little extra for the class. Every child deserves to have the supplies they need to be the best student they can and if your family is blessed to give a little extra why not!

ROUTINES (AKA SANITY)
Is it me or does Aug- June seem like it is one thing after another! After school is out I am so exhausted. I could be a mental case but these routines keep me sane. I would suggest getting a chart for all of your children adn adjusting it by age. You could also use www.handipoints.com (which is free by the way) and offer your children incentives. Here is what I have for my children posted behind there doors and the bathroom door when school starts:

Here's an exemple of the routines of the two in school. I put between ( ) what icon I used:

MORNING
I get dress (little happy girl)
I make my bed (a little bed)
I eat breakfast (an orange)
I pick up my dishes (a plate and a spoon)
I comb my hair (a hair dresser)
I check my lunch bag (a picnic basket)

AFTER SCHOOL ( I have a homework box in the kitchen with pencils, crayons , and a sharpner and notebook paper)
I empty my school bag (back pack)
I empty my lunch bag (same picnic basket)
I have a snack (an apple)
I do my homework (little girl at a desk)
I help getting supper ready (other kind of plate and fork)
I clean up after supper (a woman with a mop and rag)
I finish my homework (same girl at a desk)

EVENING
Choose lunch or snack for tomorrow (differents veggies)
Check my calendar (calendar)
Check that everything is in my school bag (same back pack)
Put school bag beside the door (same back pack (very small) and a door)
Getting my clothes ready (clothes on a hanger)
Pick up messy spots in my room (a bookcase)
Take my bath (a bath)
Put my pj's on (a little girl in pj's)
Pick up my dirty clothes (clothes in a basket)
Brush my teeth (a tooth)
Check my alarm (a clock)

Part DEUX coming tmmrw!