C'mon, admit it -- you're excited to be getting your kids ready for the new school year. They may be grumbling, but not you. It's been almost three months since the end of last semester and the kids are getting restless. "I'm bored," they complain, "there's nothing to do." Well, yes there is! It's time to go shopping for back to school supplies. Here are a few pointers:
- Decide on a budget before you walk out the door, and discuss it with your child. Try to allow him or her to choose most of their own items, but if finances are limited, explain that if they pick mostly basics, there might be enough money to get a few special things, like a desired lunch box or character backpack. Children often will look forward to showing cooler supplies to their classmates.
Be sure to take note of supplies already in your possession from previous shopping excursions -- you can save money by avoiding unnecessary duplication. Keep in mind, however, that while some school items like rulers and calculators have long lives, other items like notebooks and binders often fall apart after a year's use.
- Make a list. Check with your child's school since many teachers offer a list of items that will be needed in their classroom. If so, you are in luck. Simply check them off the list as you add them to your shopping cart and you will soon be on your way. If you have to improvise, here are a few basic suggestions:
- Notebook paper, wide-ruled for elementary school children and college-ruled for those in junior high or high school. Stick with plain white -- many teachers do not allow the use of colored paper since it causes them eye-strain when they are reading numerous assignments.
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Author: Elizabeth Grace