Patton Law’s Summer Safety Tips Part 3: Goodbye Summer Vacation, Hello Back to School Prep!8/2/2018  It’s about that time. Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end and we’re feeling the pressure to help our little ones prepare to head back to school for another year of learning. While this can be a happy time of anticipation for a great year, this process is often full of anxiety for both parents and kids. And when we’re stressed out, family life through summer’s end can be a tough transition that negatively impacts the start of the school year. With five children of his own to prepare for school, Lakeland attorney Adam Patton and his family are well aware of the trials you may be facing. Plus, Adam is a firm supporter of education within the Polk County school system. In fact, last year Patton Law was pleased to provide scholarships for students interested in careers in a legal field. In addition to scholarships, Adam also volunteered and made presentations at two Lakeland High Schools. His message promoted empowerment through education and encouraged the kids to work towards their dreams for a better future. It’s this type of dedication to the community that makes Adam and his team at Patton Law the right choice for Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale and Bartow residents in need of legal assistance. To help your family prepare to bid a fond farewell to summer vacation and welcome the start of the school year in peace, we’ve put together our list of tips from the family law experts at Patton Law, P.A. These suggestions have helped our group care for our families when it comes to back to school preparation, and we hope it helps your family. 1.Build a Solid Routine Summer vacation means children get to take a needed break from homework and tests, and spend time with family and have some fun. This tends to include later than usual bedtimes, sleeping in, sleepovers with friends, vacations, and more! With all this fun happening, typical routines fly out the window and the summer flow takes over. Getting back into the routine of the school-year bedtime, getting up early, eating a healthy breakfast, doing homework, and more can be a shock to the system for children and their parents. Patton Law suggests easing into the routine several weeks before school starts. Perhaps instituting one new element of the school-year routine each week. This lessens the burden of adjusting to the new schedule, allowing for an easier transition. 2.Stock up on Supplies in Advance Waiting until the last minute to purchase school supplies can definitely get the blood pressure rising and that stress vein popping on dad’s forehead! While you might not have the complete list in hand at this point, we all know the basic supplies that most children need. Watching for school supply deals, and setting aside money in advance to purchase supplies and needed back to school clothing, can reduce the stress and worry most parents face at the start of the school year. Your children will also feel relief knowing that they have everything they need and they will start to get excited about the idea of going back to school. 3.Shop the Sales School shopping is a costly event for most families. Whether your children attend schools that require uniforms or not – school clothes are expensive! Thankfully, the State of Florida offers a tax-free weekend. You can save the sales tax (restrictions apply) on school clothes, shoes, some accessories and most school supplies for three days only, August 3-5, 2018. In addition, sign up for your favorite department stores’ online notifications and coupon alerts to give you that extra help in purchasing at the right time. 4.Attend Orientation with Your Children Attending school orientation with your children gives them a sense of security and eases any anxiety about meeting new teachers and seeing their new school environments. This is especially true when your children are starting a new school. School orientation is an important opportunity for you to meet their teachers, exchange contact information, and discuss your children. You’ll also see their classroom and understand the environment your children will be exposed to on a daily basis. 5.Talk to Your Children & Listen to Their Concerns We’ve saved the best for last – talk to your children and listen to their concerns or thoughts about starting a new school year. This is possibly the most important tip on our list. Ask them questions about what they think of their schools, teachers, and potential classmates. Ask if they have any fears about the upcoming year and what you can do to help. Listen closely to their answers and assist them in making plans to overcome challenges. From all of us at Patton Law, P.A., we hope your summer vacation was terrific – filled with sunny days, fun activities, and lots of time with family and friends – a summer to remember for years to come! We also wish you and your family a wonderful back to school experience, with less anxiety and more excitement about learning and the future. Do You Need Legal Assistance? Contact Patton Law, P.A. to Schedule a Free Initial Consultation. |