 Our Second Annual 14-Day Back to School Challenge!
School bells are ringing around the world. Are you and your family ready for back to school? To get ourselves ready, we are going to take you and your kids on a 14 day adventure that will take you into places no mom really dares to go. The deep dark corners of your children's bedrooms, the tops of the closet, the bottoms of the drawers, and even GASP! under the beds. Throughout our travels we will find treasures and create open spaces. At the end of this adventure, your child will have a peaceful place to sleep, an inspiring spot to do homework and a quiet spot to read and think. You will find kid clothing that still fits, missing socks, school supplies that can be used another year, and maybe even that long overdue libray book LOL. We will keep our eyes open for things which crawl, jump, or slither (or used to crawl, jump, or slither YIKES!). And that's only the first 7 days of the back to school challenge. The last week is still a surprise!
Before we get started a few things you will need to do...
- Check the calendar: Make sure you actually have the correct first day of school marked down. Remember to write down the time as well (don't ask me how I know this LOL).
- You have a choice here: It depends on how things work in your family. You can take on this 14 day challenge by yourself, or you can include the kids. Me, I do a combination of both. Some parts I do myself (the deep cleaning), and other parts I involve the kids in (sorting toys and clothes). You decide. Make sure you talk this over with your kids first. The goal of this challenge is to get ready for back to school a little bit at a time, not to create 14 days of torture for you and your children. It starts with a bedroom and/or workspace that your child can grow in for the next 10 months. And no, we are not talking about a major re-decorating project LOL! Just get rid of last year's stuff to make room for this year's stuff. The old papers, the outgrown clothes, the unloved toys, and whatever has accumulated in your child's area.
- Stuff you need: You are going to need a large trash bag, a recycle bag (for all the papers and cardboard), and a bag or box to collect the toys and/or clothes that your little one doesn't need or want anymore.
- Music: If you are involving the kids, put them in charge of selecting the music for the challenge. It is much more fun to work together with music. The kids love being able to play the tunes they want hear. Mom, grin and bear it LOL!
- Cook Drinks: Make sure you have some cool drinks in the fridge. Even a pitcher of water with ice in it will feel like a treat when you come out from those dusty depths for a fresh air break.
- Print out each day of the challenge: (which will include a checklist and a little prep for the next day). Enjoy. And here's to the next 14 days! You can do it.
- Feel free to send us an email: There is something wonderful about the support one mom can give to another. Let us know how the Back to School Challenge is going. We may be able to post some of your messages here! Send your email to cindy@cindysporch.net and put "back to school" in the subject line. Have fun!
Let's Get Started!
- Day 14 - It is time to celebrate: Congratulations. You did it. Now celebrate the best of the new school year with your children. Nothing fancy, just celebrate.
- Day 13 - The Dry Run: Kids enjoy this. Run through the steps of getting ready for school.
- Day 12 - Bedtime: As school approaches, the bedtime gets earlier and earlier.
- Day 11 - Check List: Let's do a quick check at what we've accomplished so far.
- Day 10 - School Supplies: Shopping at home first will reduce back to school supply costs!
- Day 9 - A SPOT for Kid Stuff: How much time do you spend looking for missing boots, mittens, and homework each morning? Having one SPOT for all this may make a difference!
- Day 8 - The List Are you wishing for a smoother morning? Check out "the list!"
- Day 7 - The Shopping List Do your kids need new clothes for school? Do a little planning first and save some money!
- Day 6 - The Dresser The hunt for outgrown clothes continues in the dresser. Today you'll be able to actually close the drawers!
- Day 5 - The Closet Does opening the door to your children's closet touch off an avalanche of stuff that has no end? Look out closet, here we come!
- Day 4 - The Floor! Has it been awhile since you have seen the flooring in your child's room? Today we find it!
- Day 3 - Reward! We found the bed and we found the desk. Now it is time for a treat. Remember to include the kids!
- Day 2 - Uncovering the Desk! Broken crayons, last year's assignments, the missing library book? Let's see if we can find a desk under all that!
- Day 1 - Finding the bed! Are there monsters under your children's beds? Today we find out LOL. We are going over, under, and inside. Clean sheets may even be involved.
See you tomorrow! Cindy
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