It’s hard to believe August is here, and back-to-school season is just around the corner! With the start of a new school year often comes a complete change in schedules. Your household will operate differently due to sports, extracurriculars, and extra studying, so there is a lot to do to get ready before the mayhem starts. Not sure where to start? Here are some things that you should do to get a head start on your back-to-school prep and set your family up for a great school year.
- Schedule a Check-Up
Many schools require updated vaccinations before they are able to enroll students, and because of this, doctor’s appointments tend to book up quickly around this time of year. So, be sure to check the school’s specific requirements and make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician as soon as you can. This is also a great opportunity to schedule your child’s yearly physical so they are cleared for any after-school activities, and you can have peace of mind that they are healthy to take on the new year and all the adventures ahead.
- Family Calendar
Perhaps one of the most challenging parts of going back to school is remembering who does what and when with brand new class schedules and after-school activities. To ensure that your activities are organized, sit down before the chaos starts and write down any known sports practices, events, and activities on the calendar. Be sure to keep this family calendar somewhere where everyone can see it and add to it as things come up. We also recommend having a shared digital calendar that way, everyone’s schedule is with you at all times, so you know exactly where you need to be with all the running around.
- Take inventory
Before you head to the store for your back-to-school shopping, take the time to inventory what school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and other items you already have. Get rid of any old, broken, or no-longer useful items and donate any clothing that doesn’t fit or is no longer worn. Taking the time to do this beforehand will not only declutter your space but will also ensure you are not overbuying or wasting things you already have, saving you money and sanity in the long run.
- Prep your house
After you have taken inventory of your child’s school supplies and found a new home for what you no longer need, continue with this method in other areas of the house. Getting rid of as much clutter as you can will help set you up for success once schedules get hectic. As you start to organize your home, scan for a potential clutter-less, distraction-free study space in your house that is quiet and well-lit for your children to work on homework when they come home.
- Get into a sleep schedule *ahead of time*
After a summer full of late nights and sleeping in, getting your kids up for school can often be the most difficult task! Instead of waiting until the last minute and diving right into it, we recommend starting a week or two before school begins to reset everyone’s body clock. Gradually start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier until the new schedule feels less challenging. This will make getting up for the first day of school way less of a chore and leave you with extra moments to have breakfast together, take those precious first-day of school pictures, and send everyone off with a smile!
- Make sure you’re covered
One thing you may not think about when preparing to return your kids to school is making sure their insurance is ready too. Do you have a teen who will be driving to school this year? Check your auto insurance carrier for a potential ‘good student’ discount. Do you have a student going away to college? Be sure to inform your insurance agent so you can review the different options available for their auto and health insurance. Further, check with your agent to review your policy and see how your child’s personal property will be protected while they are away at school. If they are renting an apartment off-campus, they may need to purchase a separate renters policy for personal property and liability coverage.
These are just a few of the ways that you can get a jumpstart on the new school year and leave time for family fun. If you find yourself in need of assistance with your insurance this academic year or want to review your policy to make sure you are completely covered, contact our team, we’d love to assist you with all your needs.
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