August Already? Caution: School Zone Ahead

We just turned the calendar to August and what fell out? A back-to-school flyer.

Or three. Those colorful shelves at the grocery store jammed with summer clearance? Gone. In their place, pens and notebooks, a transition about as gradual as being hit by a shopping cart.

While some of us cling fiercely to summer, to be fair, many parents are counting the days until the kids are out of the house. And lots of students can’t wait to be back at school with friends. If you’re a back-to-school player, how will you manage the change?

Use back-to-school shopping to your advantage

1. Gradually shift gears: Big changes lie ahead, from a new grade or school to stepping up the workload or social pressure. Use this early focus to shift gears. For example, if you buy books early, look at them. Just the pictures. Go to the open house at school and meet the new teachers. Start changing the sleep schedule now.

2. Get a clue on feelings: Shopping is a great way to bring up school with kids and check up on their emotions. Are they eager to go back? Worried? And you – energized or exhausted? For parents, here’s a quizhttp://www.schoolfamily.com/back-to-school-quiz/ to help with a few of the issues.

3. Give responsibility: Let your kids know your budget and put them to work checking supplies, listing needs and wants, finding deals, or doing chores to earn money for their wish list. Have them go through their closet to see what fits. Reward items out with new items in.

4. Get stuff – but use it to make bigger changes. What is your biggest issue with productivity or organization? Fix it. For example, if kids dump school stuff on the kitchen table, create a new place and system to stash their stuff now. Start using it so it’s a habit by school time.

5. Let E6 protect your shopping brain. On a day-long shopping spree, you get tired and lose your ability to resist. So take along some E6 to the mall as brain insurance and begging-kid insulation. Your budget will thank you.

Back to school photo by Sarah Sosiak, via Flickr.