Dear Teacher...

Every time I walk into a Staples and I see wondering parent with stuff in their hands having a tough exchange with their kid I think of this...Wouldn't it be wonderful if come every August there was a way that Teachers and Parents could come together to make the beginning of the school year smoother?

Wouldn't it be great if we as parents could get a heads up and not have to scramble to Staples after the first day of school?

If we could put together a handout sheet of what would make things easier for both sides, what would you put on that list?

One of the best things to happen to me in my school years with my daughter was the Supply list that would be mailed to us every end of August from her elementary school in Astoria, Queens NYC.
For several years, it was so stress free.
We would get the list by grade, go purchase the supplies, put away and done.
By the time the first day of school rolled around, her book bag was packed and ready to go.
No guessing, no wasting money no forgetting or running out of.

Once she was in school her teacher would then send another list that included hygiene needs for the classroom.
Each child bought pack of paper towels, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, box of tissues, Ziploc bags, paper plates, plastic cups, utensil box, etc...
These would be locked away in class storage for the kids use during school year. It would be a pretty good stash if you had at least 20 kids per class.
That covered class parties, accidents and so forth. Every teacher was different every grade list was different but it was a great help for school year.
Fewer things needed to be replaced or restocked once school year started.

If I had to work on a handout sheet for Teachers and Parents this is what I would put on it:
I would address by grades and subject.
-notebooks
-loose leaf
-pens
-pencils
-homework pad
-carrying case
-arts & crafts supplies (listed specific items by age and grade)
-ruler
-binders
-dividers
-lunch bag (do's and dont's)
-snack items
-hygiene needs list

What did I miss? How would your list differ? Does your child's school make the start of your school year easier or are you stressed?

P.S. I sure hope the parent that inspired my post today came out of Staples with her sanity. That poor woman was not enjoying being their and her kid wasn't helping any. Apparently they have a project to work on and were stuck in the isles with colored pencils, crayons and poster paints. Who knew so many choices could be a problem, Crayola what have you done! lol.

Always stress free xo.

The Hoarders Trap

We all fall prey to it at some point with some thing for a certain amount of time...
Hoarding.

And every parent holds on to those "cute" things for the next baby, for a relatives baby or for a keepsake to give to their child when they grow up.
Please don't.

We must be realistic in what we keep, what we share and what we save.

No one is going to use a walker that is 5 years old, when models are changing every year. Yes they have basic function but no.
No one is going to use a stroller that is 6 years old and bulky when they can get new slicker model.

The list is endless. Yes, some things are priceless maybe you have that crib that's been handed down in the family, but as we all know times have changed and so have the safety features.

I am not one to waste money unnecessarily I am just realistic about the things that should be kept, should be shared and should be passed on.

This is the list I put together to help me figure the Hoarding Trap out...

Babies 1st year
-keep the first of certain items shoes, sandals, pair of socks, coat, jacket, bib, onesies, etc...
Nothing stained or in poor condition.
-keep souvenir of 1st birthday goody bag, banner, cake top, table decoration.
-keep all the stuff you got at the hospital wrist band, foot prints, blanket etc...
-keep babies 1st teeth.
-keep certain baby shower souvenirs.
-keep sonogram pics.

2nd year through 8th grade
-keep yearly folder of all art work at the end of each year pick maximum of 5 pieces and get rid of the rest.
-keep yearly folders of certificates, promotion cards, report cards, highest scoring test, commendation cards etc...anything that acknowledges a job well done.
-keep trophies, ribbons, anything won at a sport or activity they took part of.
-keep toys that are only in excellent condition and take up very little space. Revisit that box at end of every year see if your child is still interested or is willing to give away. Keep number of toys you keep to a minimum as well.

High School Years
-keep yearly folders of certificates, promotion cards, report cards, highest scoring test, commendation cards etc...anything that acknowledges a job well done.
-keep yearly folders if needed of art work or special projects worked on.
-keep copies of letters rec'd that reference special tests taken such as placement exams, state exams, etc...
-keep copies of essays, applications, acceptance and even rejection letters from Junior and Senior years.

In between these specified milestones you will have tons of clothes, birthday cards, gifts, trinkets and perhaps even more babies.
You may save again, a few pieces but you must be very selective.
With clothes, unless your kids are close in age please don't save or store. Instead have a swap party or donate to someone who may be in need.
If you believe you will have your children all in a close amount of time then sure save the crib, stroller, walker and whatever else, but again if it's like 3 years in and nothing..,get rid of it!!!

This is a picture share of how over the years I have kept myself in line with my own Hoarding oops I meant memory keepsakes lol.

So the above pic has my daughter's Tae Kwon Do uniform in which she earned her Black Belt 1st degree, a collection of a few 1st's outfits, her Blue's Clues Halloween costume I made her when she was about 2 or 3 years old, her Christening dress and a box I got especially for her because on her 20th Birthday I am going to present her with a few things I have been working on over the years (I will of course write a post on that when the time comes!).

This pic shows a plastic storage box with all her other saves report cards, drawings, b'day cards, Graduation caps, video tapes, etc...
Nineteen years in 2 storage boxes that is it!!!

What will you be using to store away great memories without becoming a Hoarder?

Always stress free xo