Summer is almost over and now it's time to think about getting the kids (and ourselves) ready to go back to school. It can be a stressful experience shopping for clothes and supplies, as well as a drain on our wallets. Get your kids involved. Before you head to the store, whether you are shopping for groceries or back-to-school clothes, sit down with your child and plan what you intend to buy. Discussion beforehand helps avoid conflicts while shopping. Family time counts. Everybody is busy - parents and kids. But a little togetherness goes a long way, so it's important to find the time to have a family dinner, watch a Friday movie, make Saturday pancakes, or play an evening game of cards or Scrabble. Most children also crave some one-on-one time with a parent. Allow kids to make choices. Kids appreciate being part of the decision-making process. For example, when packing a lunch, ask, "Do you want carrot sticks or celery sticks?" and offer snack choices. If kids have a hand in what goes in the lunch bag, they are more likely to eat those foods -- rather than trade them away. Establish a budget for back-to-school gear. Before you head off to tackle the stores, sit down with your child and set your budget limits. Have your child agree to spending $X on shoes, $X on shirts and so forth. That way, while shopping, your child will learn the importance of sticking to a budget. Think about ways to save. You can save money by cutting back in simple ways. For example, pack your kids' lunches each day, as opposed to having them buy the school lunches. Purchase clothes in neutral colors so that they make for better hand-me-downs to both boys and girls. Look for special offers. Take advantage of sales and coupon offers. As long as you don't save your back-to-school shopping until the last minute, more than likely, you'll be able to find pre-back-to-school sales. Tempt kids with tasty - yet nutritious - treats. Pack lunches that satisfy kids' tastebuds by choosing healthy snack foods that fit into all levels of the Food Guide Pyramid. Serve your kids snacks like sliced apples with peanut butter or carrot sticks with ranch dip. parents a snack they can feel good about serving.
I found a web page at the Quaker Oats® site which offers some good advice on getting through this season. I am only quoting the highlights from the article so if you would like to read all of it, please refer to this URL: http://www.quakerchewy.com/nutrition/tip...
 |
Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Getting Ready For Back To School in Tips for Working Mothers is owned by . Permission to republish Getting Ready For Back To School in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
