Back to School Craze

Bobby has a specific list of especially hard-to-find items that must be brought with him on the first day of school. And poor Suzie has grown two inches this summer and can’t fit into anything! Does it all sound familiar?

This time of year can be as stressful as the winter holidays for many parents. Because it’s not just about shopping anymore. It’s about organization. It’s about teaching children financial lessons. It’s about making everything as stress-free as possible so your children do not stress out.

In addition, parents need to make time for themselves and focus on their adult lives, even though they want to be absorbed in all that’s changing in their child’s world. It’s about reorganizing. Cleaning. Making schedules. (And yes, making lunches!) Also, it’s the last few weeks to relish summer, and last-minute plans are the norm. It’s no wonder that life is going to be stressful for the next few weeks!

Before you rip out your hair, here are some tips to help you make it through the next couple of weeks.

-Shop now. Get the rush of shopping out of the way, at least what you can. You'll not only get great sales, but fewer crowds. And as for food, which is in a higher demand when kids have to have lunches packed and after school snacks, stock up in bulk so you're not running to the store for everything they need.

-Make time for a vacation day, or moment, at least. Even if you can't jet off to Disney Land, you can take a day with the kids to the park or the beach. Relish the last moments of summer, because once the rush of the first few days back at school pass, the kids will be wishing it was summer all over again. This way, you'll spend quality time with them, and they'll have something to write for their, "What I Did This Summer" essays!

-Talk about it. Don't just go to the store and pick out items in a rush. Ask your children what they want. Go through circulars. Talk about a budget. Let them know that you're willing to help them, and you will, but that they cannot have everything they want. It will be a good financial lesson. Also, if you have a child entering a new school, try to have him or her talk about their expectations. It's a big change, and they need to know you're there for them, and that you understand. Even when the issues seem petty, it's their whole world!

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