Back To School Traditions

Everyone around the country is a buzz (both on and off-line) about the long awaited back to school days. While most of the back to school rush involves hunting for school supplies, coordinating transportation schedules, and creating lunch box menus we add a little fun to the mix by attending the Back to School Bash hosted by the school administration. This is a fantastic way for the kids to reacquaint with friends they haven't seen during the summer months.

Our Bash is held a few days before school's first day at the school's playground. Tables are set up for serving but you must bring your own chairs or blankets or find a soft spot of grass to sit on. The staff provide plates, napkins, cups, drinks, shredded barbecue pork and buns. Everyone else is encouraged to bring a dish to share. We usually bring a dessert. Invitations in the form of a flyer are mailed to student's families with their school registration/confirmation paperwork a month before the beginning of school. Everyone is encouraged to attend. The parents socialize with each other, welcome new faces to the school and enjoy watching the kids play-some even play themselves. The kids eat quickly knowing it will leave more play time. The mood is light and fun. As the picnic winds down, announcements by the teaching staff are announced. New teachers are introduced, new students are welcomed, and retiring teachers are thanked for years of dedicated service to our children. The Bash is full of joy and I am blessed to have a school that does this for it's students and parents.

I highly recommend you host your own Back to School Bash if you're not fortunate to attend one already. Make it fun and easy. Coordinate the event with school officials. Start with the school secretary to see if you can use their playground-just make sure you leave it like you find it. Invite little Johnny or Jane's school buddies or if you're feeling really adventurous, the whole grade or even the entire school! If you don't have addresses, no worries! Format an email invitation, call the school secretary and kindly ask him/her to forward it to your list of parents. Be sure to include the who, what, when, and where of it all. Make sure to add any special instructions: bring desserts, side dishes, finger foods, drinks, etc. Make sure to note if you've got games and prizes planned, if a pool or sprinklers will be available to play in, or if it will be a free play day. Finally, don't sweat the small stuff. All the best party plans don't always pan out so just go with the flow and have a great time.

Click through to Cookie's newest promotion: School Year's Eve for more ideas and a fun contest.

While we're in the back to school mode, we also establish goals or resolutions for the year.

1. Getting homework started 30 minutes after getting home
2. Eating lunch with my son once a month
3. Putting a note in his backpack or lunchbox every day
4. Raising his hand in class if he has a question
5. Using wise words
6. Keep our weekly bike riding date and even riding more often if possible
7. Maintain family dinner time through all the crazy schedules
   
8. Always try every task and do his best.
   

I realize some of these goals are bigger than back to school but this provides an excellent time to reinforce these ideas. Regardless of the grades he brings home, it's important he knows I love him and will be proud of him as long as he tries his best. This is an exciting way to teach those lessons while getting him mentally prepared for the beginning of school.

What are your back to school goals and/or resolutions? Be sure to watch the Juice Box Jungle's parenting video Loosing It! in my lower left sidebar for some comic relief.