Although it seems too early to be thinking about the end of Summer, August is already here, and school (in whichever form it may take place) is only a few weeks away.
Our district recently make the proposal for remote learning for elementary aged students, so that is our current plan. My son is going to be a second grader, and we decided, most likely, we will be keeping him home for quite some time as we wait for things to shake out a bit. The plan was for our two daughters to attend preschool together this year (Hazel’s first year of tot-time, and Annie’s last year of a preschool) but we are still weighing the pros and cons of sending them vs. keeping them home. I feel like there is still a lot that could change in the next few weeks and I am hopeful that, whatever “school” looks and feels like this year, kids are resilient, and things (for all of us) will be ok.
As a parent, regardless of whether you are choosing to learn remotely this year, or if that is currently your district’s only option, stepping into the school year with a positive attitude can make all the difference to your kids(s).
My husband and I have been trying our best to be more cognizant about not complaining about the hand we have been dealt this year when little ears are listening. More-over, I am trying to make this year as fun as we possibly can, and sticking to some traditions (with a twist) is one of the things we will soon be checking off our back to school list. We will still take out first day pictures, and we will do our first day cakes (more details on this, my favorite back to school tradition, soon to come).
But, back to my fun picks…all of the items included are bright and functional, and can hopefully help make your transition “back to school”, or back to learning, a bit more fun and organized.
We are setting up a designated work space in my son’s room, where his sisters will hopefully leave him in peace, and having items like blu-ray blocking glasses and wireless headphones for his increased screen time is important to me.
We always do a pretty back to school dress for my daughter (this would have been Hazel’s first), and this year, we will be adding pajamas to our line up as well (since we may as well be cozy at home) and this apron dress by Beaufort Bonnet Company is just one of their many adorable “Back to school” options.
I am loving the “Homeschool Begins” flag, and as cute as it look in our photos, I’m hoping once we use it this once, it can be buried somewhere in a time capsule, never, ever to be seen again. The Pen Pal Kit and “Neighborly Note” Door Hangers are also from Maisonette, and I’m hopeful that I can use these to trick my kids into practicing their writing, under the pretense of staying in touch with their close friends, family members, and checking in on neighbors (although the correspondence is sure to be loved and appreciated)!
Cece DuPraz is a local (to me), women-run business that promotes self learning on all levels, and gives back to the community, so including their mask bag and original design lip masks was a no brainer. Also, everything they sell is adorable, and pristinely made.
Last night I joked with my husband that when I envisioned going back to teaching, I didn’t expect it to be in my own home, or with my own children, and yet, 2020, here we are. It really goes to show that life will throw you surprises every step of the way, but how you choose to adapt to all the changes is what makes all the difference. Regardless of what school will look like this year, I wish all of you the best as you head “back to school”, in whatever form that takes!
xx,
Katie