10 Things To Do Before The Kids Go Back To School

Although no one, except retailers, wants to think about the end of Summer, it's only 7 weeks until my kids go back to school. And there's still SO MUCH to do! Here's a list of things you might want to accomplish before sending the minions off with their backpacks to another year of higher education:

1. Make a list of places/activities you want to see/do before the Summer ends. These are things you will regret if they're not done. For us, there are some water-parks we want to visit, friends we need to see, etc.  Try to end the Summer with no regrets!
   
   
2. Buy bathing suits and Summer-related items now, while they're on sale. Stores are busy stocking up for Fall and Winter and you can get some great buys now. I know Diva is going to be at least one size larger next year (all bets are out on the Teen who might wind up being 8' tall by the end of August), so buying bathing suits in a Large is a no-brainer. 
   
   
3. Take inventory of your in-house school supplies. It's time for me to empty out the old backpacks and put away any supplies the kids have sent home. Then I'll take stock so I can replenish our School Supply Cabinet in anticipation of the coming year.
   
   
4. Evaluate backpacks and lunch sacs to see if the kids will need new ones. By September, the stores will probably be low on both, so seize the moment!
   
   
5. Make sure you've gotten any necessary doctors' visits in. I dropped the ball on this one and now the kids aren't getting their physicals until the second week after school starts. That's not altogether bad, since they'll be able to get their flu shots at the same time.  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Make a list of the projects you plan to accomplish in the Fall after they're in school. Mine include some painting, re-grouting, and a Momvacation Day at the beach.
   
   
7. Send musical instruments in for tuning and cleaning.  Every year while we're on vacation, we send Junior's woodwind instrument in for regular maintenance.  This way, come that first band practice, he's ready to go.
   
   
8. Check school websites for deadlines. The deadline to order Diva's school supplies through the PTA is coming up. Thank goodness I checked the website! Also, Junior has packets he needs done before the first day of high school. Funny how he never mentioned those. Similarly, sports forms are usually due in sometime during the Summer.  Stay on top of this now, so you don't have a sidelined kid in the Fall.
   
   
9. Start filling out your calendar for the Fall/Winter. Putting Back-To-School nights, etc., on the schedule now means you won't forget them when things get hectic in early September. 
   
   
10. Download some free planners at http://www.productiveflourishing.com/free-planners. This site lists all kinds of planners including ones to help you blog, monthly planners, productivity jumpstarters, etc. They can help you with all kinds of projects.
    
    
    Summer is moving all too quickly! Continue to make memories now and plan for the upcoming months. Parenting is hectic enough – get ahead of the game NOW! 

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Book Review: The Doctors Book Of Home Remedies For Children

Last week was one of those roller coaster mothering weeks I dread. Diva was sent home from school because she had a wonky tummy and a headache. A gymnastics competition was coming up, so I wasn't surprised, figuring she was just nervous, especially since she was bouncing around after school. Low and behold, that night she was lethargic and running a 102 degree temperature. The up-and-down symptoms persisted for two days with the fever breaking and a sore throat beginning. With our insurance rates having skyrocketed, I don't rush to the doctor every time a kid is sick, but I really wasn't sure what to do. Once the fever breaks, should I send her to school even if her throat is sore? If she's feeling better at night, do I send her to gymnastics' practice? Should I bit the bullet and take her to the doctor?


Enter a book I had bought years ago: The Doctors Book Of Home Remedies For Children from the editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books. I'd purchased this book on clearance from Barnes and Noble and have taken it out many times since. Obviously, as the title says, this is a medical-based book, not a purely holistic one. It does not shirk from recommending over-the-counter medicine or going to the doctor when things look serious. What it does do, however, is give parents some practical guidance as to easy home remedies that doctors recommend.


It advocates simple, non-medicinal treatments that even I, someone who thought she knew a lot about home remedies, found surprising. For example:

• Lollipops and ice cream are great for soothing sore throats.
  
• Antiperspirants, when applied to a bee sting, relieve the pain and itching.
  
• Flat cola calms a queasy stomach.
  
• Using a wet teabag to help with the discomfort of cold sores.
  
• Making a paste of baking soda and water to help with sunburn.
  

Despite it's medical slant, I love the fact that the authors often caution against using over-the-counter medicines, explaining why they don't work. And the sections entitled “When To See The Doctor” alert you what to look for and when, specifically, you might want to at least call the doctor.


I eventually took Diva to the doctor to test for strep (which was negative), but the book reminded me that putting a straw in her liquids made them easier to drink and that giving her orange juice was a big no-no for sore throats (too acidic).


Will this be the only medical reference book you'll need? No, but it's a great one to have on your bookshelf for learning more about the symptoms your kid presents and how much you can do on your own. I recommend it for people with small children, although the authors do tackle behavior problems exhibited by older kids like complications from ear piercing, TV addiction, and video game addiction. I'm happy I bought it and you will be, too.


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