5 Back-to-School Tips for Parents

1. Shop Later 

Don't plan to buy supplies until you receive the list from the teachers. At the , you can buy them during round-up which is great!

[Others have noted: Plus, everything goes on sale by the end of September, and most kids will have a growth spurt during the school year.]

—Barbara Kabealo; kid aged 13

2. Implement Homework Help

Whether it be binders, a planner, or a calendar on the fridge, create a system to encourage your children to stay on task with homework. All kids learn different; some can stay on task easily and others can't. My son has ADHD, so homework can be a nightmare. If the teacher makes projects available on the syllabus, map out what they are for that quarter.  

There are also support groups available for SPUSD parents with special needs children. South Pasadena Parents for Special Needs meets every month.

—Anonymous; kids aged 14 and 11 

3. Think Ahead

Have a good back-up plan for child care and/or a really flexible job schedule! Between holidays, early closing days, furlough days, teacher work days and any other reason under the sun (like double session and overlap days in Kindergarten), the kids are out of school more than they are in it. The flexible job schedule will also help you attend your child's school programs and conferences, which are always held during the day when a lot of parents need to be at work.

—Denise Durrett; kids aged 3, 6, 17 and 23

4. Teach Accountability & Live in the Moment

Schooling is one thing you cannot compromise. Even if you use a tutor, the buck ultimately stops with the parent. Start the year teaching and monitoring consistency. Fit schoolwork into your daily schedule, so that you can’t go to bed until it’s done. Otherwise, each day makes it harder to catch up and cope. Live with a sense of humor, though. Don’t let guilt or time management issues stop you from doing what you need for yourself. 

Also, take your child’s life in little chunks. Live for this year. Don’t leap ahead worrying about how his entire future will be affected. What you do today will prepare kids to be better people. But don’t lose today by feeling that tomorrow is already written.

—Rose Gutierrez; kid aged 20

5. Don't be Ashamed 

There IS a free lunch, and no one needs to know one way or the other. You’d be surprised the road many have traveled from rags to riches and back again. It’s your right and not having to provide lunch or breakfast for a period of time could make a huge difference.

Though it may take some ingenuity on your part, find a way to be active in school. Whether it’s chaperoning, baking, building, teaching a writing workshop or helping with math, volunteering is easier if you choose a contribution that you enjoy. Even if you are a single or working mom, you can be a room parent, but don’t try to do it all yourself—we managed to use three single parents one year. 

—Carla Sameth; kids aged 15 and 15; Katie Scrivner; kids aged 19, 14 and 7

Stay tuned for more back-to-school advice tomorrow from : and .