Gather Moms,
Have you started your back to school shopping yet? What's on your list for this year?
In the comment field below, talk about what you'll be purchasing and any great deals you know of. With your already busy schedule, how do you fit these back to school preparations into your daily routine?
We're also giving all of you Gather moms a chance to talk live with each other on this topic. Join other Gather moms within the comment field of this article for a chat tonight from 9PM-10PM ET. This is an open forum for you to get advice and tips from other moms. You'll need to refresh your browser to see new comments. One Gather member will be randomly selected to receive 250 Gather Points and a prize pack of books for your child!
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Comments: 316
We are scrambling to get Gideon's physicals, school shopping and school forms all in order. We are also scrambling to move his bedtime up to a proper time for school and we JUST got him fully potty trained.
Crazy does not begin to cover it.
I presume the first years are the most chaotic.
I won't buy new jeans until after school starts, my boys are growing so fast, I don't dare buy them before they really need them. It is generally warm enough thru September for shorts.
Our next step is to do our 'trying on clothes' ritual which consists of us spending an hour or so in the boys' bedroom trying on clothes. Whatever my oldest son has grown out of goes to my middle son and anything he's grown out of goes to our toddler. Then we decide what is needed for the school age kids and I scope out the ads and plan our school clothes shopping attack!
Next on the list is to visit the schools to see the schedules and make sure we know if the bus stops are still the same, then get haircuts going and we're set to go!
My mom purchases some supplies when they are under $1 at various stores. I wait until orientation day to buy most things, since the teachers always hand me a slightly different list than the one they send home over the summer for supplies. I save re-usable items from the year before (colored pencils are often still fine, just need sharpening).
Other ways to save on school supplies . . . often teachers ask for way more than your child needs. For instance, ours ask for silly amounts like 4-8 DOZEN pencils (yes, I'm serious -- this is yearly). My 4 school age kids wouldn't go through that many all together in a school year. I give them 1 dozen to start. Same with loose leaf -- they don't need 4 packs right at the start of the year! I then usually send in fresh supplies in January after winter break, to keep the kids in what they need and to help out the teachers.
I got some great deals on school clothes and supplies, posted articles about them too!
His list wasn't too bad this year either, all managable. Most items I got on clearance after school started last year and I stocked up! So, I didn't have to purchase but a couple things for this school year!
Pencils - 36 number 2
Glue sticks - 2
Glue - 1 8 oz bottle
Tissue - 1 box
Scissors - 1
Eraser - 2
Folders - 3 with pockets & clasps
Markers - 1 set of 8 washable
Watercolors - 1 set
Ziploc - 1 box gallon bags
Paper Notebook - 2 Spiral wide rule
Pencil Box - 1
My son will be in 2nd grade this year and this is what his school supply list looks like! I stocked up on several things last year when they were on clearance, so I only need a couple things from the list.
Where are you finding the best deals on school supplies?
FREE instantly!!! Elmer's nontoxic school glue, 4oz. Limit 2 per customer. While supplies last. Offer valid in store only.
Valid through August 16th.
IN STORE ONLY!!!
Buy 2-Pocket Folders for 1¢. Limit 10 per customer. While supplies last.
Buy OfficeMax® 12" Wood Rulers for 1¢. Limit 3 per customer. While supplies last.
Prices valid through August 16th.
they have it every year and its so fun for the kids:)
I also bought some clothes for my granddaughter during the tax free weekend. I even bought her a lunchbox and a reusable water bottle so she can start pre-school.
I wish we had a program in our area for the backpack and supplies thing- that sounds like a big help!
Marsha- I don't know but I don't think a fridge for students is a big concern for them, they are in the process of building a brand new school. Maybe that one will have a fridge for the kiddies. I did notice that the teachers all bring their lunch from home.
http://www.njfoodbank.org/Programs/kidsdivision.htm
But my son can bring anything in his lunch! He eats hot lunch most times but does like to take lunch on occasion!
And wow, no peanut butter? I guess it's because of nut allergies and all that- but I used to love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in my lunch when I was a kid.
i flpped out when i saw that..