It seems that just as I am getting settled into the summer routine, the stores start putting out the Back-to-School displays. This immediately sends me cycling through the five stages of grief at the thought of the end of summer. It goes something like this:
- “Wow, this is early, it’s not time for back-to-school.”
- “These stores are just trying to make a buck while ruining my summer mood.”
- “Fine, we will get the shopping out of the way so we can get on with our summer.”
- “What? Only two weeks of summer left?”
- “Well, we can’t stop time, might as well start looking forward to fall activities!”
While getting ready for school in midsummer can be a bummer, there are many exciting things to look forward to. Things like fun new experiences, the potential of making new friends (for the kids and moms), and fall sports and after-school activities. Choosing what activities the girls want to participate in has always been an exciting part of our “Back to School” season. They have always been good at exploring different interests and trying a variety of extracurriculars. Goodness knows there are plenty to choose from around here! Whether your children love team sports, performing arts, scouting, fine arts, or individual sports, you are sure to find some great options in this month’s After School Activity Guide.
If you have trouble selecting just one, don’t fret! As Cheryl Maguire explains in this month’s feature, How Multiple Extracurricular Activities Can Shape Success, there are many reasons to get your child involved in more than one activity. If you are worried about the expenses involved with additional extracurriculars, many are free or low-cost. Make sure you check out clubs and activities at your school too!
One of our favorite back-to-school must-dos is Meet the Teacher. It is so nice to have the opportunity to hear from the educators and learn what is to be expected for the upcoming year. Developing a good relationship with your child’s teacher early on can be so helpful and help eliminate the anxiety of the unknown. On more than one occasion, my girls have been assigned to a teacher they heard was “mean” or “hard,” and some of those have become my girls’ favorite teachers. The “mean” teacher was able to spend time educating because she did not put up with shenanigans, and the “hard” teacher helped the girls pass AP exams with flying colors. Plus, having your child learn to work with different personalities is a great life skill! It will help them in the future with their coaches, bosses, in-laws, and other relationships in life. For more ideas on starting the year off strong, check out Christina Katz feature, Banish Back-To-School Blues: 10 Ways To Build Better Student-Teacher Relationships.
Lastly, I think we can all notice how much more expensive groceries, clothes, and school supplies are, so If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford a few extra supplies, consider donating to the school or other backpack drives to help out those who may not be as fortunate. Also, check with your school to see if there are any other items (clothing, shoes, snacks, etc.) that some students may need. Every child deserves to be fully equipped and ready on the first day and every day of school.
Well, the countdown is on, so go out, soak up the last few bits of summer, and get re-energized to head back to school!
Author: Lynn Knighton
Lynn has called the Gulf area home since 2006 with her husband Brad and their 3 daughters. Following the sale of her Abrakadoodle franchise, Lynn still wanted to serve families and help them thrive. Becoming the Publisher of Greater Pensacola Parents was the perfect opportunity. Now she invests into family's lives each month by providing the area's #1 go-to resource for moms and dads.
