Five Things To Do Before Your Kids Start Back to School This Fall

As the summer days start to wind down, it's time to shift our focus to the upcoming back-to-school season. As a parent or guardian, ensuring your kids are well-prepared for their return to school is crucial for a smooth and successful transition. To help you get organized, we've compiled a list of five essential things you need to do before your kids head back to school this fall.

1. Organize School Supplies

One of the first steps in preparing for the new school year is to gather and organize school supplies. Start by checking the school's supply list, which is typically provided at the end of the previous academic year or available on the school's website. Create a checklist to ensure you have all the necessary items, including backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, folders, and any specific requirements for their grade level.

Take advantage of back-to-school sales to save money on supplies and avoid the last-minute rush. Additionally, consider investing in a sturdy backpack with proper back support to reduce the risk of strain and discomfort as your child carries their belongings throughout the day.

2. Schedule a Health Checkup

Before your kids head back to school, schedule a comprehensive health checkup with their pediatrician. This visit will help ensure they are in good health and identify any potential issues that may hinder their academic progress. The checkup should include vaccinations, vision and hearing tests, and a review of their overall well-being.

Moreover, if your child has any specific health conditions or allergies, communicate this information with the school nurse and teachers, so they can provide the necessary support and take appropriate precautions.

3. Establish Healthy Routines

The transition from summer break to the school routine can be challenging for both kids and parents. To ease this transition, gradually establish healthy routines a few weeks before the school year begins. Start by gradually adjusting bedtime and wake-up times to align with the school schedule.

Ensure your kids have a balanced breakfast each morning to fuel their bodies and minds for the day ahead. Encourage regular physical activity and limit screen time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When children are well-rested and have consistent routines, they are more likely to be attentive and engaged during class.

4. Review Academic Materials

A little academic review can go a long way in boosting your child's confidence and performance in the new school year. Spend some time engaging in educational activities, such as reading together, practicing math problems, or exploring educational apps and games. This will help them retain knowledge and be better prepared for the challenges of their new grade.

If your child had any academic struggles in the previous year, consider hiring a tutor or seeking extra help from teachers to address specific weaknesses. Nurturing a positive attitude towards learning can significantly impact your child's academic success and foster a lifelong love for education.

5. Open Communication Channels

Effective communication is key to ensuring a successful school year for your child. Establish open channels of communication with the school, teachers, and other parents. Attend any back-to-school events or parent-teacher meetings to get acquainted with your child's teachers and gain insights into the school's policies and procedures.

Stay actively involved in your child's education by regularly checking their schoolwork, progress reports, and assignments. Encourage your child to discuss their school experiences, challenges, and triumphs with you openly. This will help you address any concerns promptly and provide the necessary support to help them thrive academically and emotionally.

Conclusion

The back-to-school season can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for kids and parents alike. By following these five essential preparations, you can ensure a smooth transition and set your child up for a successful and fulfilling academic year. Remember, being proactive and supportive as a parent plays a vital role in your child's overall growth and development. So, gear up for the new school year with confidence, and watch your child flourish in their educational journey.

When Did Your To-Do List Become a Full-Time Job?

Success has never been so complicated. In a world where getting ahead usually comes with a big email inbox, it's normal to find your spare time eaten away by dozens of mundane tasks.

No amount of time management or re-shuffling the to-do list will add any more hours to your day. After all, productivity doesn't work when you have a near-infinite list of tasks to work through. You'll always have another item to buy or a little bit of info to look up. That's why so many ambitious people often use a virtual assistant to ease up on these time-consuming tasks.

The problem is these tasks are often too complex for technology to handle, yet sometimes too simple for you to want to spend your time on. You don't want to delete a hundred new emails -- but help combing through them would be great. Perhaps your wife mentioned an errand earlier and it'll take ten minutes of browsing the web to find what she needs. Whatever the case may be, these little problems can add up to big headaches.

“A virtual assistant is the ultimate time management tool. It’s productivity on steroids.”

A virtual assistant is the ultimate time management tool. It's productivity on steroids. It's simpler and more affordable than a full-time assistant, and it gives you more of your most valuable resource: time.

Don't let your to-do list keep you down. Do the stuff you truly have to do, but delegate the rest to someone else … your virtual assistant. You'll have more time for the things you love without sacrificing an ounce of achievement.

Let us show you how much time you can save. Contact us to learn how.

Five Things to Kick Your To-Do List into Gear

Everybody has a to-do list. Whether it’s all in your head or you’re using sophisticated technology to track results, we’ve all got things we just need to get done. Here are five ways to kick your to-do list in gear and start seeing immediate results:

1. Limit your list to 3-5 quality items. If your list is more quantity than quality based, you’re wasting time on low-value items. Don't confuse being busy with being productive. Socrates once said, “beware the barrenness of a busy life.” What can you eliminate to increase fulfillment in your life?

2. Prioritize daily. Review your list for tomorrow before you go to bed. In the morning, tackle the first thing on your list before you do anything else. This way you're well on your way to smashing your list for the day.

3. Use technology. There are loads of great tools that keep things simple and are easy to learn. Cloud-based products like www.trello.com, www.getpocket.com and www.evernote.com enable you to access your information from any device you have handy. Technology can't always solve problems, but basic tools can help keep you organized.

4. Think like a project manager. Project managers aren't always born great organizers. They follow a process and use proven methods of execution. Great project managers set specific goals, create plans, break things down into smaller parts, pay attention to detail and communicate consistently and often. Learn to put these basic skills to work with the items on your to-do list.

5. Hire a virtual assistant. For the items that don't meet your top 3-5, hire a virtual assistant to complete these tasks for you. Sure, there are plenty of other things that need to get done, but delegating these to a virtual assistant you trust enables you to focus on the most important items. Plus, a virtual assistant is a fraction of the costs of an in-office assistant – and, can do 90-95% of what someone can do in person. From managing your schedule and maintaining projects to controlling your inbox, a virtual assistant can handle things you don’t have time for, forget to do, or simply don’t want to do.

What is the quality of your to-do list? What can you start doing to become more productive, see results and eliminate barrenness in your busy life?

Contact us to learn how our virtual assistants can help you.