Back To School Bucket List For The Family

Is it just me or did summer come and go so fast this year? I used to think I couldn’t wait for my kids to go back to school, but now I wish time would slow down and they would stop growing. It is so important to enjoy your children at every age.  It really does go by way too fast. As their summer vacation draws to an end, I try and remind my kids to make the best of their time away from school. Making an end of summer bucket list before school starts helps get them focused on enjoying the summer. It also helps ease the transition from summer break to school classes and homework. But why should the kids have all the fun? A back to school bucket list for parents can help Mom and Dad transition to fall as well. This helps us, as parents, stay organized and helps prepare children for a healthy new school year.

End of Summer Back to School Bucket List

1. Back to School Date with Mom and Dad

As part of their Back to School Bucket List, we let our kids pick their favorite restaurant for lunch or dinner.  Afterward, we get school supplies and a sweet treat.  Children love spending one on one time with parents.  And, when parents are giving 100% of their attention and love, that makes the child feel connected and confident.  It is so important to show your children that you care for them and you want them to succeed.

2. Movie in the Park

I love Summer nights.  Yes, even in Las Vegas it is so fun to get out when the sun goes down and watch a movie in the park.  A movie in the park is a great way to say goodbye to summer. I know most cities have movies in the park–just ask around to see if there is one close to you.  We take our blankets, chairs, pillows, and dinner and enjoy a movie for free under the stars.

3. School Shopping with Friends

As my children get older this has become a fun tradition for their Back to School Bucket List.  We get together with their best friends and go shopping and get yogurt after.  It is so fun for them to put on a fashion show and buy one or two matching items.  This get’s them really excited for the first day of school.

Back to School Bucket List for Mom and Dad

As parents, we think differently about back to school then our children.  We have more concerns and want their year to go easily.  Here are some ideas for your Back to School Bucket List.

1. Safety Tips for School and After School

Knowledge is Power.

It is so important not to scare your kids about stranger danger but talk to them and instill confidence rather than fear.

1. There are good and bad strangers.

Good strangers are:

-Police officers

-Teachers

-Security Guards

-Store Clerks

2. Children should know their full name, street address and phone number (including area code).

3. Use the buddy system and never go anywhere alone.

4. If a stranger grabs you yell “STRANGER DANGER”, kick, scream, bite, and claw them.   3 months ago a little girl at the park was almost abducted but because she screamed and kicked the abductor gave up and ran. Thanks to her swift reaction, the girl was safe and sound.

You can practice all these tips with your children before school starts for a family night.

2. Safe Play Dates

Our rule is simple, If Mom and Dad don’t know the parents you can’t have a playdate.  Last year my daughter loved a girl in her class and wanted to hang out with her all the time.  I told her I had to get to know her mom first.  She told me her mom volunteered on certain days so I went in on the same days and got to know her.  They have many play dates now and I really think their family is wonderful.  It was so easy and it gave me and my husband a peace of mind.

3. Write a Letter to Your Children

This is really the easiest thing you can do to tell your children how much you love them.  Write a love letter.  Tell them how special they are to you, tell them you are so proud of them and you are excited for them to have a wonderful new year.  This is totally free and they will love this more than anything.

 They can keep it in a secret pocket in their backpack and read it at school if they are having a bad day.

4.  Read to Your Children About Being a Friend

It is so important to me that my children are kind to everyone.  You never know what someone is going through.

ENEMY PIE

I love to read “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson.  Enemy Pie is about a little boy who learns an effective recipe for turning a best enemy into a best friend.  My children want me to read it every day to them.

THE ENGLISH ROSES

My friend Shannon gave me The English Roses by Madonna in 2003 before I moved away from her.  I get emotional every time I read it.  It is really a great book to read to your daughters.

Children find books to be really entertaining but they also teach valuable lessons about being a good friend.

I really hope our back to school bucket lists have helped you in preparing for a fabulous new school year.

What will be at the top of your End of Summer Bucket List and your Back to School Bucket List?

ASHLEY