What are your hacks for being an organized parent during the school year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fivebelow.com/20-piece-glitter-glow-acrylic-paint-set-6ml.html

depends on the kid. Would not get used here.

I feel like I can't win with the gifts, I've heard parents complain about everything - a gift was cheap, or tacky, they'll never use it, etc. I should probably just ignore the catty bus stop chatter. So I let my DC pick out the gift at five below for their friend and hope for the best. They all seem to like glitter, nail polish, slime, and art supplies and that seems to be what five below specializes in.

You are better off getting real slime ingredients than those kits which barely make anything. Not everyone wants that stuff in their house or kids like it. Look at the invitation to see what the child is into. That sounds like its more about what your child likes than another child. I like below 5. They have some decent stuff there, especially books sometimes but I'd rather get someone a $5-10 gift card and let them choose. I usually email the parents on what the child likes if I'm not sure.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who gives 5 below gift cards ($5) as goody bag gifts. I love it because my kid usually will find something that she likes.

[Anonymous]

I use the online grade portal to keep an eye on how my kids are performing academically. If I see any signs that they might require academic help or organization, I make sure to provide it. Early intervention is the key for me.

[Anonymous]

I know some kids do not have chores around the house, but for me it is a part of having essential skills. They have several that focuses on things they must do for themselves, but they also have chores that they must perform as a family member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry these dcum cats are shredding you, OP. I liked your list and got a few hot tips. I keep paper copies of health forms handy too because every bloody camp requires it!

I agree with having a different big tote bag assigned to each extracurricular, one for library books, we also have one for grandma’s house since she lives close by and babysits often, so we send things like extra kid clothes, clean tupperware from leftovers, etc. back and forth in a tote bag.

We also have one-on-one kid meetings 3 times a year:
DH and I sit down with each kid individually and talk about their goals and desires for the next few months (and follow up on previous goals and desires) and talk about what needs to happen to make those plans turn into a reality.
In August we discuss the coming school year, class schedules, BTS shopping budget, social goals for the year and spring extracurriculars.
In January we check in on grades and social stuff and summer vacation/ camp plans.
In May we follow up on grades and social stuff, plan fall extracurriculars and create a summer “bucket list”

I am sure some will say that is an extra task and therefore not a “hack”, but I find it really helps with planning and with behavior and cooperation. So often the scheduling stuff happens behind the scenes and kids feel like life is happening to them. We get far fewer arguments because whatever is on their calendar is something they have committed to.

We actually do that too. My parents did that with us and all of us siblings do that with our kids.

We do something similar when we plan vacations. Everyone in the family will pick out what they want to do in each vacation spot and based on that, we build our iteniary. My kids will research and discuss everything intensely and pick out one activity each. We have had very interesting vacations and road trips thanks to this family sourcing!!

Do you all have that many kids that you can only talk to them 3 times a year? I cannot imagine what we'd talk about. We regularly talk about grades, classes and interests. Social goals? Not sure what that is but ok.

Scratching my head on the social goals too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:August is too early for a flu shot. It needs to last through March or so.

Actually, it does last that long.We get our flu shots in August and we are well protected through the flu season. Our worst months for falling sick though is is October, November, December and Jan.

I’ve heard February is just as bad. But where do you get the shot so early? My pediatrician doesn’t even get the shot until almost Sept 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry these dcum cats are shredding you, OP. I liked your list and got a few hot tips. I keep paper copies of health forms handy too because every bloody camp requires it!

I agree with having a different big tote bag assigned to each extracurricular, one for library books, we also have one for grandma’s house since she lives close by and babysits often, so we send things like extra kid clothes, clean tupperware from leftovers, etc. back and forth in a tote bag.

We also have one-on-one kid meetings 3 times a year:
DH and I sit down with each kid individually and talk about their goals and desires for the next few months (and follow up on previous goals and desires) and talk about what needs to happen to make those plans turn into a reality.
In August we discuss the coming school year, class schedules, BTS shopping budget, social goals for the year and spring extracurriculars.
In January we check in on grades and social stuff and summer vacation/ camp plans.
In May we follow up on grades and social stuff, plan fall extracurriculars and create a summer “bucket list”

I am sure some will say that is an extra task and therefore not a “hack”, but I find it really helps with planning and with behavior and cooperation. So often the scheduling stuff happens behind the scenes and kids feel like life is happening to them. We get far fewer arguments because whatever is on their calendar is something they have committed to.

We actually do that too. My parents did that with us and all of us siblings do that with our kids.

We do something similar when we plan vacations. Everyone in the family will pick out what they want to do in each vacation spot and based on that, we build our iteniary. My kids will research and discuss everything intensely and pick out one activity each. We have had very interesting vacations and road trips thanks to this family sourcing!!

Do you all have that many kids that you can only talk to them 3 times a year? I cannot imagine what we'd talk about. We regularly talk about grades, classes and interests. Social goals? Not sure what that is but ok.

Scratching my head on the social goals too

I wonder if PP’s children go to a feel good private school. I worked at one and we talked about social goals all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry these dcum cats are shredding you, OP. I liked your list and got a few hot tips. I keep paper copies of health forms handy too because every bloody camp requires it!

I agree with having a different big tote bag assigned to each extracurricular, one for library books, we also have one for grandma’s house since she lives close by and babysits often, so we send things like extra kid clothes, clean tupperware from leftovers, etc. back and forth in a tote bag.

We also have one-on-one kid meetings 3 times a year:
DH and I sit down with each kid individually and talk about their goals and desires for the next few months (and follow up on previous goals and desires) and talk about what needs to happen to make those plans turn into a reality.
In August we discuss the coming school year, class schedules, BTS shopping budget, social goals for the year and spring extracurriculars.
In January we check in on grades and social stuff and summer vacation/ camp plans.
In May we follow up on grades and social stuff, plan fall extracurriculars and create a summer “bucket list”

I am sure some will say that is an extra task and therefore not a “hack”, but I find it really helps with planning and with behavior and cooperation. So often the scheduling stuff happens behind the scenes and kids feel like life is happening to them. We get far fewer arguments because whatever is on their calendar is something they have committed to.

We actually do that too. My parents did that with us and all of us siblings do that with our kids.

We do something similar when we plan vacations. Everyone in the family will pick out what they want to do in each vacation spot and based on that, we build our iteniary. My kids will research and discuss everything intensely and pick out one activity each. We have had very interesting vacations and road trips thanks to this family sourcing!!

Do you all have that many kids that you can only talk to them 3 times a year? I cannot imagine what we'd talk about. We regularly talk about grades, classes and interests. Social goals? Not sure what that is but ok.

Scratching my head on the social goals too

I wonder if PP’s children go to a feel good private school. I worked at one and we talked about social goals all the time.

I was wondering about all of this also. You talk to your kids 3 times a year? Don't most people discuss this stuff consistently?

[Anonymous]

As soon as flu shots come out we get them. Fall is a very busy time of year. Next thing you know it’s Christmas

[Anonymous]

Think ahead. Attend as many seminars about the college process as you can starting from ES and MS school. It will give you a good idea of how to navigate the school years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As soon as flu shots come out we get them. Fall is a very busy time of year. Next thing you know it’s Christmas

+ 1

My kids usually fall sick in the first quarter of the year. And that is Fall and early Winter. I want them to be protected during thanksgiving, christmas and new years, as that is the time they are meeting people indoors and catch infections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I give every kid a Barnes and Noble gift card for their birthday. I buy a stack of 10 or 15 at a time for the same amount and put it in a tiny gift bag and colored tissue paper. I also have tiny personalized happy birthday cards with my kids name on it so I can have a gift ready in a minute without a second thought.

If I did this, my kids would have all those toys open within two weeks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flu shots in August? That’s...not how that works.

Sure it is. We got ours in August, so there.

Nearly all of these so called hacks are just things that normal functioning people do by default.
I would post my actual hacks here because with 2 adhd kids - I have many of them.
But, I'm afraid OP would print the ideas onto tiny business cards and hand them out at back to school night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd say this is a troll but I don't think trolls get this detailed...

I could consolidate OPs long lists into three main things, and keep my day job and my board seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flu shots in August? That’s...not how that works.

Sure it is. We got ours in August, so there.

Nearly all of these so called hacks are just things that normal functioning people do by default.
I would post my actual hacks here because with 2 adhd kids - I have many of them.
But, I'm afraid OP would print the ideas onto tiny business cards and hand them out at back to school night.

I think you should post these tips on the Special Needs forum at least.