Summer is coming to an end, which means kids are back to school and our busy lives somehow get even busier. Whether you’re a parent of young or older children, the back-to-school season brings a new level of stress and even more tasks. For elementary-aged students, it may be an extensive school supply list that takes hours to compile, for high school students, a coveted new pair of tennis shoes for fall sports. No matter the circumstance, back-to-school time is a big-time with even bigger stressors. Tic Toc is here to help and serve you through all your tasks and chores.
Back-to-School can be nerve-racking and stressful for students and parents alike. It is a time full of newness and change, which often breeds stress. We’ve been there and we get it! That said, we at TicToc decided to work together to create a list of 6 Back-to-School Tips. These are our favorite little tips and tricks to alleviate stress and stay on top of the craziness that is Back-to-School season!
1. Shop for supplies EARLY
Shopping for school supplies is often a dreaded task for parents. It may benefit you to get started checking off that list early. There is no need to make this task stressful! Start early and go shopping at times when stores are less crowded. Back-to-school shopping can be a super fun family activity! Elementary and middle schools often release school supply lists in late July or early August. These lists can be found on the school’s website and are often printed out and supplied at local retailers like Target or Walmart. Often, hot items fly off the shelf early. Some items may not restock quickly or at all. Make sure you shop early and make sure you grab each item on your child’s list!
2. Keep a Calendar
Back-to-School time gets busy FAST! With numerous events like Meet the Teacher Night, Orientation Night, Curriculum Night, etc., it’s easy for obligations to slip through the cracks. You’re used to the relaxed schedule of summer, which makes these events easy to forget. Invest in a physical planner, an online planner, or even your utilize phone’s calendar to note events and tasks. Online calendars often have notification features that will alert you in advance for an event. For example, I have my digital calendar alert me a day before an event and then again an hour before. This ensures that I am reminded multiple times and won’t forget! I put everything in my calendar, even everyday tasks. Seeing them on my phone daily keeps them fresh in my mind. This has helped me quite a bit in my own daily life.
3. Utilize Online Stores for Last Minute Shopping
We get it, we’ve all been there. It’s the weekend before the first day of school and your child is panicking because they forgot to get a binder or need a new backpack. You rush to your favorite office supply store or retailer and HUNDREDS of other parents and kids are last-minute shopping as well. The crowds and carts piled with school supplies blocking each aisle— It’s a nightmare! Luckily, retailers like Amazon, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond offer same-day or next-day shipping for free or low cost. They often have the same supplies as in-store retailers, and are typically a bit less expensive as well! Utilize these resources and save yourself the time and stress of last-minute shopping.
4. Create a Schedule
Communication is a necessity! And a lack thereof causes problems. It’s happened to the best of us. We forget that our kids had an afterschool activity or accidentally took them to soccer when it was dance night. These little mistakes and miscommunications make us feel so guilty as parents, but there are ways to prevent this. Start this school year on the right foot and keep a family schedule. It can be a whiteboard in the kitchen or even a paper schedule you keep in the office. Get creative! Have each member of the family add their weekly schedule (work, sports practices, weekly meetings, etc.). This will allow everyone to see each other’s calendars and events. Everyone can see who is where, and as a parent, where you are needed. This will allow for a smooth transition into the new school year, as well as a new tool to keep everyone’s busy lives in order.
5. Meal Prep
Prep meals, including kids’ lunches, the night or even the weekend before. If you’re an avid meal planner, this is a normal routine. For those who are unfamiliar, I’ll explain. Nutrition-conscious folks often cook all of their weekly meals in one day. Can you believe that? It’s not as daunting as it seems. Simply cook large portions of meat, veggies, sides, etc., all in one day. Then, pre-package your daily meal in containers. Each morning, go in the fridge and grab your pre-made nutritious meal. This will save you the morning of stress of grabbing anything you can find for you or your child’s lunch.
6. Enlist Tic Toc
Tic Toc’s staff is trained and equipped for your stressful situations. Whether it be school supply shopping for your children or planning and prepping back to school meals, TicToc’s Time Savers are ready and able to step in and step up to the challenge. We realize that these tips are often easier said than done. Sure, shopping for supplies early is a great idea in theory. But life happens, kids get sick and work gets busy. Let TicToc handle these tasks for you. We are here for your every day, especially during this busy time.
Back to School Brings Extra Stress
Our everyday lives are full of stress. Even I feel overwhelmed from time to time. This is why I decided to create TicToc, as a way to relieve stress in people’s daily lives. With changes and transitions, like Back-to-School, these stresses heighten. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and panicked when faced with new challenges. Luckily, TicToc's services are perfect for moments like this. Whenever you need something off of your plate, give TicToc a ring. We are here for you!