Back-to-school time comes around like clockwork, but that's no reason to allow this time of year to become monotonous. Revamp your back-to-school routine and revitalize your family's last days of summer with these creative tips.
Make a New (school) Year's resolution.
A New Year's resolution in August? Why not? Sit down with your family before the school year begins to think of fun, achievable family resolutions. Don't focus on eliminating negative habits. Instead, think about positive ways to improve your life. For example, you could make a resolution to:
| Volunteer at a local charity.
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| Attend monthly events at a local museum.
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| Learn a new word every day.
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| Eat dinner as a family more often.
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Use this activity to put your family into a positive mind-set and align them toward the same goals.
Clean house.
Every year, children grow, but their clothes don't. About two or three weeks before the first day of school, take a day to thoroughly clean and organize your child's closet. Weed out things that are too small, too itchy, or "too" anything. After you've successfully downsized, make a list of new things your child needs; now you'll be a back-to-school shopper with a purpose.
Learn together. Turn this cleaning project into a learning experience for your child by donating the extras to a local charity or homeless shelter. Just as your child is learning at school, you can teach him or her the virtue of generosity and the value of giving at home.
Plan menus.
As frustrating as it is to pack a lunch for a picky child, it's equally frustrating for your child to eat an unappetizing lunch. Make it a win-win situation by brainstorming lunch options you both agree on. Take your child to the grocery store and have him or her select the food. If you run out of ideas, there are a number of cookbooks written specifically on how to pack a creative brown bag lunch, such as
The Healthy Lunchbox by Marie McClendon and Cristy Shauck. Pick up one today and start experimenting.
Learn together. Use this lunch-packing project to teach your child about healthy eating. Make a worksheet listing the staples of a healthy lunch, such as protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Help your child use this worksheet to plan customized, healthy lunches. Choosing one item to satisfy each category will guarantee a well-balanced, healthy lunch you both approve.
Beat the rush.
No one enjoys pushing through back-to-school shopping crowds and making mad dashes for the last pack of colored pencils. This year, make life a little easier by shopping ahead. Many stores begin stocking school supplies in late July or early August, so take advantage of their early preparation.
Learn together. Teach your child the importance of recycling by purchasing recycled school supplies this year. Have your child help you find items that are labeled with the acronyms PCW (post-consumer waste content) or PCF (process chlorine free).
Start healthy habits.
Prepare your child for back-to-school stress by strengthening his or her immune system with a multivitamin. Iron, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and D are vital to your growing child's health, so make sure your child is getting enough. When you visit the doctor's office for your child's back-to-school checkup and immunizations, ask your health care provider what vitamin supplements are appropriate for your child.
Learning together. Visit
Vicks.com to learn healthy habits that will help you ward off your child's sniffles.
Prepare for colds and flus by stocking up on VicksŪ specially formulated cough, cold, flu, and sinus products.
