Preparing Your Home for Another School Yea

Tips for Tuesday

You’ve done the back-to-school shopping.  You’ve bought all the supplies your children need.  You have new outfits for school photos.  And you labeled everything with your child’s name.  But what about your home? Is it ready for another school year?  Just as teacher’s need to prepare the classroom, you should prepare your home for another year of homework and extra-curricular activities.

First, create an environment at home that is conducive to studying.  Your child(ren) should have their own quiet space for doing homework.  It should be well-lit and away from distractions.  Make sure they have the supplies they need to complete their homework.  In addition to pens, paper and calculators, have extras like poster board and CDs on hand for school projects that pop up.

Get your children into a routine.  Have a place for their backpack(s) when they get home.  Set a time for their snack, homework, dinner and fun time.  Have them make their lunch and set out clothes for the next day before they go to bed.  And establish a launching pad for everything going out the door in the morning.

Keep your children healthy with sufficient sleep, meals high in protein, and plenty of exercise.  Enroll them in extra-curricular activities that will keep them active.  Stay on top of their moods, and note any changes.  This may indicate an underlying physical or mental problem.

School can be a stressful enough time for some children.  You can help ease that stress by providing a healthy, organized environment for them.  Make this their best school year ever.

Packing Your Student for Dorm Life - Part Two

Moving On Monday

Packing Your Student for Dorm Life—Part Two

Last week, we began a series of articles on transitioning your high school graduate to life in a college dorm.  We looked at the basics a student would need for his/her dorm room.  This week, we'll look at personal care items they should purchase and pack.  Of course, some students have special needs, so their list will be different.  But this is a good starting point. 

PERSONAL CARE

·         Robe, slippers, flip-lops for shower

·         Shower Tote

·         Shampoo, conditioner, hair styling supplies

·         Hair dryer, curling iron, hair straightener

·         Hair brush, comb

·         Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash

·         Deodorant

·         Shaving cream and razors

·         Nail clipper and file

·         Moisturizers

·         Soap and soap container, mesh sponge

·         Cologne/perfume, after shave

·         Cosmetics and make-up with case

·         Cotton swabs, cotton balls/squares

·         Mirror

·         Pain reliever(s) and vitamins

·         Cold/allergy medication

·         Prescription medications

·         Glasses or contact lenses with necessary cleaning supplies

·         Ear plugs, eye mask

·         Night light

·         Bandages, tweezers, antibiotic ointment or cream

·         Hot/cold pack

·         Tissues, toilet paper

·         Laundry bag or collapsible hamper

·         Quarters for laundry (many colleges now have prepaid cards for laundry facilities)

·         Folding drying rack

·         Detergent, softener

·         Hangers

·         Towels (bath and hand), face cloths

·         Iron, compact ironing board

·         Sewing kit

·         Umbrella

·         Clothes appropriate for the environment

As always, check with your college/university for some of these items (curling irons, for example), because they may not be allowed in the room.

Packing Your Student for Dorm Life

Moving on Monday

It's that time of year when high school seniors are graduating.  They're ending a chapter in their lives, ready to begin another at college in the fall.  Most have heard back from their applications, and know where they are headed at the end of summer. 

And now that they know, it's not too early to start buying and packing for dorm life.  Dorm rooms present challenges because of their size.  The rooms are often smaller than a student's bedroom, and it has to be shared with someone!  Therefore, it pays to plan ahead and be wise in your purchases.  Over the next few weeks, we'll look at packing your college student to make the best use of space. 

These are merely guidelines, though, as the amenities and requirements vary by college.  Some schools already have refrigerators, while some don’t allow microwaves in rooms, so check with the school before completing your shopping.  Also, if you haven’t seen the room, ask for dimensions or a layout to plan your purchases.  This week, dorm room basics.

DORM ROOM BASICS

·         Mattress Pad

·         Accent Rug(s)

·         Draperies and drapery hardware

·         Alarm Clock and extra batteries

·         Microwave oven, cookware

·         Small refrigerator

·         Ice cube trays

·         Coffee maker

·         Water filter pitcher and replacement filters

·         Plates, bowls, cups, glasses, eating utensils

·         Water bottle

·         Hand-held can opener, utility knives, bottle opener

·         Plastic bowls or bags for food storage, chip clips

·         Measuring cups and spoons

·         Dish towels and cloths, dish detergent

·         Paper towels, napkins, plates

·         Trash bags

·         Book case or book shelves

·         Plastic storage bins or crates (make use of underbed space)

·         Basic tool kit

·         Lamps, light bulbs

·         Telephone and accessories

·         Extra chair or seating

·         Potted plants (low-maintenance) or silk plants

·         Portable fan

·         Hand-held vacuum

·         Flashlight and batteries