Grabbing Up Time with Kids

This year, the oldest is starting middle school, which means there is an hour between the time his school starts and I take the younger.  Then, I have the two younger for 45 minutes in the afternoon.  I’m looking for creative ways to build in special times with them in that time, rather than wishing it away (which is hard…we sat in the van 45 minutes yesterday with the air on high, still hot).

We may use the bus at some point, esp. in the morning, but  this morning, I had a great time with my oldest.  We drove to the trail and walked, and jogged, and raced, and he acted silly and I took pictures.  It was a vacation within a day.  And…he told me about things that happened yesterday he didn’t mention today.  And, I know to pray for him in new ways.  And ask about different things.  I am so thankful for this morning.

Yeah, you only think you are beating me

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

Surviving the First Day of School with Multiple Children

So, I just filled out sixty forms on my kids first day of school.  I counted.

I dated things multiple times on pages, filled out the same information to go to multiple sources (like they don’t make copy machines or believe in electronic filing of standard information, like addresses.)

And still, did you know that if a teacher wants to call you, THEY likely won’t have your number unless you give it to them personally?  Again?

Crazy.

I got three student handbooks, three student calendars, three school calendars.  I’m all for information, and granted, I may lose a few things here and there, but can we talk paper reduction?

ANYWAY…

enough of that rambling mommy sarcasm at the end of a long day.

What I was going to say was…here are my tips for sending multiple kids to school:

• cook ahead of time.  It took me from 3 until just now to get through all the stuff.  I did move much faster this year than last, but still found I missed a few things.
• know where you kid’s social security numbers are located
• use a pen you love…somehow, that is a help
• don’t think, just sign
• don’t get hung up on the fact that the manual says kids can return to school simply after a lice shampoo.  (Does no one but me realize that lice are getting immune to that stuff…it doesn’t kill them.  Trust me.)
• have treats ready for the kids when they get home from school…then you can move fast before fatigue sets in.
• prepare to give all kids baths very soon after they’ve been on the playground in this kind of heat.
• have a cold treat after they’ve been in the car line, or on the bus for half an hour.  It’s very hot.
• read teacher letters, underline, and write down your kids schedule in a few key places (in case you lose one).  It is your ticket to being a support to your kids.  Know where they are.  Last year, we had a couple very uncomfortable events happen through the school year.  I was so glad to know what teacher they were with at the time, and where they were in the building.
• smile.  teachers are stressed and they need to you believe in them.  Say thank you.  Let them know you are excited about the year.  Treat them well…they deserve it.
• get all folders put in bags THE NIGHT BEFORE.  You would think you could get that one simple task done the next morning, but don’t bank on it.
• try to get them to pick out clothes the night before…we didn’t make that one tonight, but we did have a short family devotion instead of school reading time that will soon need to squeeze in there at bedtime.
• if you take pepto bismol, tylenol, tums, and any cold-type medications to the school nurse and sign a release now…the nurse can treat your kids instead of you having to go to the school with meds.  This really helped me last year when I got it all there…finally!  I put my kids in a zip-lock bag, write the kids dosages on the bag, along with my home and cell number and they call.
• go to the parent volunteer meeting and get your security clearance early for field trips.  Ours is this week and is offered twice.  You’ll be glad you got it out of the way and can be in the building and on trips with your kids.
• buy school classroom snacks, and provide extras for the class to help cover days you forget.  Otherwise, the teacher ususally gets stuck furnishing them.

I loved the tips I got last time I did that in school prep…so, what things would you add to this list?

I need to know!