I realize it is in the middle of the summer holidays, but that is it….we are in the MIDDLE of the summer holidays and that means that it is that much closer to getting these now feral children organized and ready for school in the fall. Civilization has pretty much crumbled around here. It is the reason I got a part time job….to be around order and adults and not the hot sweaty yelling that seems to be summer at the House Crunch. The only thing stopping Tara from looking and acting like this:
Was the fact that I managed to enroll her in a few weeks of day camp at the local community centre, where there is at least a semblance of order and civility.
It has been a strange summer.
With me out of the house, the kids have been left to their own devices, in between my mom checking up on them, making them clean up or taking them out and about. No big holidays this year to go on…just them figuring out just how responsible they are and how good they can be at looking after themselves…including food, cleanliness and entertainment. They have done okay….and I think this will be good for them.
Prepping for back to school might not be on their radar yet, but I am certainly planning it out in my head. We have my oldest starting grade 8 at a school out of our catchement area, so travel and transportation needs to be worked out as well as reading up on all the things he will need vs the youngest in the family who will be entering grade 1. Both important, both very different in needs and expectations.
Crayola will do the youngest and the middle just fine. In fact, when the heat has kept them inside, painting and drawing has been what keeps both the girls quiet.
The water colour kit has been the biggest hit for both of them this year……as well as the Oil Pastels. Caity is really good at creating fun and vivid pieces of art with them.
Crayola is one of those brands that you can depend on for quality. I know the kids will be happy and their art and projects will stand out, which is why it is always our go-to and will be again when we start organizing their backpacks for school instead of the beach.
So as the summer days slowly start to get a bit shorter and we can finally start luring them to bed at a decent time, we will be trying to ease their heads into the needs of the school year and Crayola has a few suggestions to add to your repetoire:
• Practice getting up early about a week before school starts.
• Create excitement around organizing your kids’ homework area and purchasing new school supplies. Making back-to-school preparations special will help them transition from the carefree summer days.
• Talk to your kids about what they can expect during a typical school day. Sure it is exciting to go back to school the first day or two. But kids should also be prepared for the reality of waking up early, rushed mornings, the discipline of sitting at desks, and being responsible for getting work done.
• Prepare a list of favourite breakfast foods that are quick and easy to fix in the morning.
• Talk to your child about what kinds of healthy foods they can pick out during lunchtime and how to spend their lunch money wisely.
• Select and lay out clothes the night before school starts.
• Establish an afternoon schedule that includes snack, homework, and personal time that kids can spend in their favourite ways.
I am feeling overwhelmed already at the thought of the work Adam will be faced with for grade 8, and truly want to work with him on building a successful routine to help him academically. Caity is going into grade 6 and while apprehensive at least knows what to expect thanks to her older brother. Adam is treading into the great unknown….I don’t know if his Crayola pens will help him….but at least he will be ready.
Leave a Reply