5 Ultimate Back To School Life Hacks For Southern Utah

It's already time for back to school in Southern Utah! Here are some of my favorite tips on making the transition a breeze for parents AND your kids. Washington County School District starts back up Monday Aug 12th, 2024 and Iron County School District starts back up Wednesday Aug.14th, 2024.

1. Bedtime- Start getting to bed a little earlier starting tonight! I know it can be so hard when the sun in Southern Utah doesn't go down till way after 9pm. It is rough getting up in the morning if you are used to staying up late and aren't ready to be productive first thing in the morning. If you start now then by the time school starts you just might be going to bed at a decent hour. depending on their age, kids are supposed to be getting between 9-11 hours of sleep every night. This is another reason I think we should all be starting school and work later in the morning. Just imagine if we all started the day around 10 for school and 10:30 am for work. Oooo and 4 day school and work weeks!  It would be HEAVEN.

2. Back to school dates- Plan back to school dates with your kids. Mine love it. We do hair cuts at the hair school, shopping at the outlets and lunch. They have something to look forward to and feel prepared. It shifts both of our mindsets and we get ready for a different schedule.

3. Appointments- Schedule all of the overall health appointments. When you schedule them in you are less likely to be caught off guard with a cavity and a kid that can't see the white board or chrome book screens. In Southern Utah we really like to wait until the last minute for some reason. Schedule eye appointments, hearing tests and physicals now and you will get right in!

4. Money- Give your kids an opportunity to earn some extra money now while they have time. I make a list of things that I will pay good money for, (usually hot yard chores), so that they can pad their pockets for things like lunches out, treats, and gas. They don't always take advantage of it but again it gets their minds shifting for the upcoming excitement that school can bring. Games, parties, dances and dates!

5. Shopping- Listen, I know how tempting it is to go get ALL of the school supplies right now and be done with and get your kids excited for back to school time, but, you might be spending more money than you need to.

Teachers and schools in Southern Utah send out those back to school lists of needs before school even starts so that while you are doing your shopping you can help out if possible. You can even see the lists at your local Walmart.
Some of the supplies are on great sales but things like back packs, folders and pencil boxes will be on even bigger clearance if you wait just a week or two after school starts.

Things like colored pencils and glue sticks sell out quick so grab those as soon as you see them. If socks and underwear are on sale, grab them. If they aren't on a great discount you can wait a few weeks on those as well.

Good luck, here comes fall! If you have any traditions or ideas that work great for your family, share them with me! aaronee@townsquaremedia.com

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