BACK TO SCHOOL Do's & Dont's

by Minorcan Mama

​Minorcan Mama is a 30-something, St. Augustine Native Minorcan, trying her hardest to raise her modern kids with an appreciation of their roots, their history and a love of the great out-of-doors.  Send her your questions about family, parenting, relationships and whatever else you can think of to minorcanmama@gmail.com  She loves being “social,” at www.facebook.com/minorcanmama and www.twitter.com/minorcanmama Also, stay tuned for her new Website and Blog coming this month!

​Hey, y’all!  Back to School time--some of us loathe it, some of us love it, either way, here are a few “Dos” and “Don’ts” to keep you on top of your parenting game!

Do:  Buy school supplies ahead of time.
Don’t:  Wait until the last minute and get stuck buying your teen-aged son the last pink and purple unicorn folder up at the Walgreens. (Unless he’s into that, but don’t wait in any case.)

Do:  Buy lunch supplies for the week ahead and pre-bag items such as crackers and cookies, as well as slice any fruit.
Don’t:  Try and pack lunch with five minutes until you leave. Your little Sweetie Peach will end up with a piece of bread, a black banana, and can of sardines. Sardine breath on the first day of school does not make a good impression.

Do:  Have your child’s new clothes de-tagged, washed and ready for the first day.
Don’t:  Send your kid to school with price tags sticking out the side of their clothes. And please, for the love of goodness, don’t forget those stickers on the legs of the pants or else you’re poor child might end up with an unfortunate nickname.

Do:   Practice the sleep/morning routine at least a week before school starts and be sure to wake your child up with plenty of time the first day back.
Don’t:  Forget to get yourself back in the same routine.  It would be very embarrassing for you to roll out of bed with just enough time to get your kid ready, but none for yourself.  I mean, no one wants a mom or dad rolling into school the first day with dragon breath and wrinkled yoga pants or dad jeans. This just sets the scene for another unfortunate nickname.

Do:  Remember to tell your child how much you love them, how proud you are of them, and to have a good year.
Don’t:  Kiss them on the cheek or yell “I Love You,” along with their childhood nickname out of the car window as you drop them off in the parent pick-up line.  Who am I kidding? Do all of that!  They’ll roll their eyes, but know that deep down inside they love it.

Do give them lots of big hugs when they get home and enjoy this moment in their life.  Minorcan Mama wishes you and your chilluns a wonderful school year full of fun, learning, and special memories.