5 ways to be a back-to-school superhero

5 ways to be a back-to-school superhero

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It seems like just yesterday when you were packing those final lunch sacks with leftovers — and accompanying cookie crumbs — and sending your children off for their last day of school, while eagerly waiting for a much-needed summer break.

Now, you are just days away — if it hasn't begun already — from beginning the business that often is the school year.

The start of the new school year means getting children up early, fed and dressed — not to mention the excess amounts of homework and paperwork you must now keep track of.

You remember all-too-well the many times you forgot to send the homework folder back, log the reading minutes, send your child with lunch money or a healthy lunch, or sign up for parent-teacher conferences in time to get a time slot that fits your schedule.

You get anxiety just thinking about it.

But the new school year also brings with it a clean slate. While last year may have been a bit off, you are given another chance to prove that you are not a zero when it comes to school time, but that you are, in fact, a back-to-school superhero.

Here are five ways to make that possible.

1. Wake up well before your children do

The morning rush is only made worse when you are barely awake, and doing such a chore while still in a morning daze makes getting anything else accomplished during the day seem impossible.

By getting up early to exercise, read a book or even take a shower before the masses awake, you will be able to face the morning rush.

According to an article on Focusonthefamily.com, author Jill Savage wrote, "...we need to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of our family."

When mom and dad are happy, children are happy, making the long hours at school much more bearable for all.

5 ways to be a back-to-school superhero

2. Carefully read course disclosures and other notes

At the beginning of the school year, parents are inundated with paperwork, outlining expectations for the year … yada, yada, yada. But within all those "yadas" there is some important information you need to know.

As mundane as it may seem, take the time to read through everything. And don't give up after the first month. Make a promise to do so throughout the school year. Doing so, will leave you with less surprises and late-night trips to the store to find an elf costume for your son's classroom skit.

3. Know your limits

Along with paperwork, you will also be faced with sign-up sheets. "Can you be the room mom?" "Check the days you can volunteer." "Which field trips can you help out with?"

Studies have shown the more involved parents are in their child's education, the better he or she performs in school. The National Education Association cited a study conducted by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory with parent involvement in their child's education was the focus.

Findings of the study concluded that, "Regardless of family income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to: earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs; be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits; attend school regularly; have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school; graduate and go on to postsecondary education."

Even so, surely there is a study somewhere that says, a mom who has taken on more than she can handle, isn't doing anyone any good.

Know your limits. If you can only help Wednesdays, that's fine. If the annual zoo field trip is all you can volunteer for, good for you. If the hours spent working on homework and reading with your children is what your schedule or life circumstances can handle, you are doing plenty.

4. Improve your grocery store habits

The school year changes what you buy on a weekly basis. Rather than telling your children to find whatever's in the pantry to eat for breakfast or lunch, or preparing crisp, grilled cheese sandwiches to serve hot and ready, you need to plan what goes in your child's lunch.

This can get expensive at times, if you are not careful.

This is a time to carefully study weekly circulars, to find the best deals and stock up on healthful meals and snacks you can pack for your children and have ready when they get home.

Flipp has a great mobile app to help find the best deals in your area, price match and keep track of it all with its shopping list feature. You can also see the circular deals on ksl.com amidst the content.

By having readily available foods, you can rest assured your children are fueling up properly at the times they need it most and that your wallet is filled with much-needed funds to make it to the next paycheck.

5 ways to be a back-to-school superhero

5. Relax

Sure, the school year is stressful, you know it and your children know it.

In fact, according to an article published in The Washington Post, "83 percent of teens said that school was 'a somewhat or significant source of stress. Twenty-seven percent reported 'extreme stress during the school year, though that number fell to 13 percent during summer. And 10 percent felt that stress had had a negative impact on their grades."

Truth be told, nothing ever got easier by stressing over it, and you will never complete a task thinking, "Man, I'm sure glad I stressed out over that."

Take each task as it comes with the confidence that you will get through it because you will one way or another.

After all, when Superman saw Lois Lane falling into Niagara Falls, did he get all flustered? No. He wasted no time or energy worrying. Instead, he calmly whisked her away to safety.

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