12 Back to School Tips from Emmy-Award Winner Terri O

This guest post was written by Terri Ouellette, who is known as Terri O.

Whoever paired the song “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” with the beginning of the school year was a little off. It should be the most stressful time of the year. OH MY GOSH! I was in the school supplies aisle the other day and could not believe the meltdowns, the arguing, the whining! From the kids too!

Okay parents, take a deep breath and know this, let’s get you organized from Day One and your life will be a lot easier, less stressful and you can enjoy this special time with your kids. The supplies I am suggesting all cost less than $100 dollars and can be used for many other projects through the school year.

Let’s start with the paper work. There are a lot of papers that come home the first month. Forms to sign, class schedules and stuff that you are expected to remember for the whole year!

Super Simple organizing with plastic drawers

I’m talking about those inexpensive drawers that can sit on top of a desk or table. Buy one for each child. Pick up a permanent marker and label each drawer. You can even make it a craft project by letting your kids decorate their own. They can add stickers and draw pictures. Here is how I labeled mine:

• After school stuff
• Work in progress
• Mom & Dad stuff

Train your child to come home from school, go thru their backpack and put their papers in the right drawer (or at least on the table for you to see). That way you all know where to look and those important papers don’t get lost in the deep black hole of the backpack.

Super Simple tips for labeling

Have you ever been to the Lost & Found at school? Virtually hundreds of dollars of merchandise sits there unclaimed. I know how much stuff costs so let’s make sure your child’s wardrobe and supplies don’t get lost. Permanent makers are a good investment. You can buy the pack that comes in 32 colors (Bic Mark-It) and the kids will have a ball helping you. Label everything with their first and last name and room number if you know it.

I found lunchboxes are the first to disappear because they all look alike. Label them with a tag instead. It’s much easier to spot.

Try one of these ideas to make a tag:

• Buy a table top laminator. They are not that expensive and have so many uses. There is a heat laminator (Purple Cows) or a manual one (Xyron). If you are really looking to save some money you can buy clear laminate by the roll at the office supply store.
• Pick up pull chains (like from ceiling fans) from the store and attach the tags. They last longer than yarn or ribbon. I have even seen them come in colors. (Wal-Mart)
• If you want to get really fancy you can purchase a tag maker (Making Memories). I found mine in the scrapbooking aisle at the craft store.
• Personalizing notebooks and folders will help get the kids excited about school and get them organized too. With adhesive (Xyron, Scrapbook Adhesive runner) add pictures, stickers and anything they want to add to embellish their supplies.

Simple snacks

The first thing my kids want when they get home is food! Here are some quick snacks to fill the void but not ruin dinner. You can plan ahead for the week and buy, chop and peel on Sunday and have a stress free week.

• Ritz crackers with a slice of pepperoni and cheese.
• Apples slices and peanut butter.
• Celery, baby carrots and sugar snap peas with ranch.
• Chicken nuggets, lettuce and some ranch rolled in a small flour tortilla.
• Frozen grapes, string cheese and some Cheese-It’s.

Last but not least set up a special homework station. No TV and no distractions. I have a project called Rockin Pop Art. It’s a fun project for kids to make a placemat. They can use it to eat their snack on and do their homework. Remember they are just like us. When you go to work you have a “place” that you need to be. A desk, a register, a job site. Kids need a “place” too. By giving your kids a “place” to put things, a place to work and ownership, you will have a little less stress in your life and you’ll teach them how to be organized early in life.

About Terri Ouellette:

Terri O is a 2-time Emmy award winning television personality. As a Super Simple home arts expert, Terri O shares her passion for creativity thru her website, book, articles, television appearances and media tours across the country.

For 9 years Terri has been the face of creativity for the Craft & Hobby Associations (CHA) retailers, manufacturers and designers lending her expertise as an expert in upcoming trends as well as consumer needs. Check out her website www.terriocraftprojects.com and coming soon, www.supersimpleliving.com. Terri features projects, products, tools, tips & techniques to simplify your life.

Terri O has been featured on “The Early Show”, Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC and host of “Crafting with Terri O” on QVC.  As a mom of two boys who love to get dirty, Terri O finds herself riding quads, dirt bikes and camping whenever she can.