This fall, many of you will be faced with a new reality when sending your kids back to school in these uncertain times. In addition to navigating the typical back to school transition, you are also faced with preparing for unknown challenges that come with various forms of hybrid learning programs and distance learning. And if you are anything like me, you can feel the anxiety beginning to bubble knowing you are going to have to figure out how to manage it all. So, here are some tips on how to prepare for back to school in uncertain times.
*This post has been compensated by Acorn Influence and Kleenex® Brand. All opinions are my own.
Plan Ahead For Uncertain Times
Planning is the key to easing anxiety and being prepared for back school during these uncertain times. I have 4 kids in 3 different schools and to say I am a little anxious is an understatement. There are so many factors to consider for this coming school year and there is so much you just don’t know. Having a plan in place will prepare you to deal with all the possible variables that may arise in the months ahead.
When planning ahead, it is important to consider what you already know and verify everyone’s schedules. You also want to clarify your priorities so you know what to focus on and what to say no to. Be sure to identify your support team (i.e. teachers) and helpful resources because you will need all the support you can get.
Share the plan with your family so that everyone is on board. With so many variables and new challenges, it will be important to be flexible with your plan and keep the lines of communication open.
Establish A School Schedule
Let’s be honest, scheduling is going to be a nightmare for many of you come the fall. With half days, hybrid programs, online distance learning, and balancing your kid’s schedules with your own work schedule, time management is going to be very important.
Establishing a school schedule will ease your mind. Juggling online class times, work meetings, digital assignments, and extracurricular activities will be much easier with a schedule for everyone to follow. And it will keep your little ones from interrupting you to ask what’s next every 10 minutes.
Write everything down and place your schedule where everyone can see it. Having an outline for the day and knowing what to expect will make the days easier for everyone. It will also give you the flexibility to know where you can make any necessary adjustments.
Shop For School Supplies
This year many are participating in distance learning at home or some form of a hybrid learning program. So be sure to stock your home with the
necessary school supplies…Pens, pencils, notebooks, art supplies, cleaning products, and definitely lots of tissue and hand sanitizer.
With so much uncertainty involved with back to school, it helps me to stock up on brands I know I can depend on like Kleenex® Ultra Soft™. No matter what going back to school may look like this year, Kleenex® Ultra Soft™ wants to support students, teachers, and parents to go back fully prepared, especially when it comes to hygiene and germs.
Between allergies and flu season, Kleenex® has always been a go-to for me. It keeps my family’s noses protected from irritation with the perfect balance of softness and strength. Kleenex® Ultra Soft™ is made with 3 layers to comfort skin and help protect hands.
As for shopping for school supplies, I plan on doing all my back to school shopping online. Walmart omnichannel shopping options like pickup/delivery have been a viable way to get what I need for my household. I am able to place my orders online and pick them up at my local Walmart or have them delivered right to my front door.
Shop Kleenex at Walmart here. Designate A Space For School Work
As many of you will be doing some form of distance learning at home, a designated space for school work is ideal. Being a mom of 4 crazy kids, I know this isn’t the easiest thing to do but it is possible.
Try to find the quietest area of the house where kids can focus away from distractions like TVs and toys. Organize the area so that they can easily access their school supplies. It can be one large space for everyone or smaller individual spaces around the house.
We have converted our dining room into a designated school space and it has worked very well for my family. Having this space helps calm the chaos and contain the mess. It will also help the kids be more independent and help me stay a little more sane as I navigate back to school.
What are you doing to prepare for back to school in these uncertain times?
