Parents -- we know the scramble well! There’s a lot to do to get your children ready to return to school.
From clothes to supplies, the list can feel endless. Add the challenge of getting everyone back on a “school night” schedule, and you’ve got a recipe for stress.
So, we teamed up with the experts at Consumer Reports for a last-minute checklist to get back into a school routine the right way.
Sleep schedule
Start a new school night sleep schedule about two weeks before the first day. Begin setting alarms back about 15 minutes earlier each night until you reach what will be the new normal very soon.
And while we’re talking alarms, if it’s on a phone or tablet, set it, then forget it.
“Personal devices should be turned off well before bedtime. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops emit blue light, which can disturb kids’ sleep patterns,” said Consumer Reports Health Reporter Catherine Roberts.
Creating a dark sleeping environment can also help. Consumer Reports’ editors recently looked at blackout curtains. Gracie Oaks Olivia Signature Velvet Blackout Curtains earned a perfect score for blocking out light and heat.
Help your anxious child
If your children are anxious about starting school in a new building, plan a visit before the first day. They can see how to get to their new classroom and find the bathrooms.
“They’ll have a new routine at school, so remind them to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at key times, like after bathroom breaks, before lunch, or after playing outside,” Roberts recommended.
Vaccinations
Students entering elementary school may need shots against polio, chickenpox, and other diseases, while those entering middle school or high school might need the meningococcal vaccine which prevents meningitis, and the HPV vaccine, which prevents certain cancers.
Everyone eligible should also get a flu shot by the end of October. For more information, see school immunization requirements from Florida’s Department of Health.
Healthy lunches
It’s important to boost your child’s health by sending them to school with healthy lunches. Think whole grains, proteins, fruits, and veggies.
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Consumer Reports also looked at granola bars and found two lower-sugar options, MadeGood and Cascadian Farms.
And staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water at school helps children stay alert and focused and may even improve cognitive functioning, so don’t forget to pack a reusable water bottle. CR’s editors recommend the Yeti Rambler JR Kids Water Bottle and the Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth.
Florida’s Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday
It’s not too late to take advantage of Florida’s Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday. Until Sunday, Aug. 11, you won’t have to pay tax on the following items:
- School supplies selling for $50 or less per item like binders, notebooks, pens, pencils, and lunch boxes
- Learning aids selling for $30 or less per item like interactive books, jigsaw puzzles, and other toys that teach reading or math skills
- Clothing and accessories selling for $100 or less per item like backpacks, pants, shoes, shirts, and sweaters
- Personal computers and related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use selling for $1,500 or less per item, such as laptops, flash drives, printers, and headphones
Some items you might not realize are eligible for the tax holiday include:
- Diaper bags
- Aprons/clothing shields
- Hunting vests
- Printer cartridges
College student discounts
Being a student has its perks. There are hundreds of student discounts on everything from buying technology and going to the movies to shipping packages and taking vacations. Your child just has to show his or her student ID or use his or her school email address.
See Consumer Reports’ list of some of the best college student discounts here.