Back-to-School/College Must-Haves

Girl with notebooks and backpack — Copyright: Image by StockUnlimited

It’s that time again. This year, it looks so different.

If you have kids in your life, your more-relaxed summertime may be (or is) coming to an end pretty soon. Some have already gone back to school.

Even if you can’t feel the cool crispness in the air yet, you may hear the local high school marching band practicing (if your area schools are going back in person); yet others have canceled/suspended their sports programs for this fall.

COVID-19 sure has changed how attending school looks and feels.

Those who may have it the worst are teachers with their own kids – they have to make sure their kids are on task while trying to focus on teaching ours.

They also have had to learn new software/applications for online learning, probably weeks before trying to help our kids (and us) understand how to use it. This most likely cut into their summer.

PLEASE remember to support your teachers and give them grace and Kudos.

Teacher talking to students in class — Copyright: Image by StockUnlimited

HIP, HIP, HOORAY!! To all the teachers out there.

Other casualties or effects of the pandemic:

Pandemic/lockdown-related mental health issues have gone both ways.

For some kids, they are doing better now than when in school, due to being quarantined safe in their houses and not going out.

Girl reading — Copyright: Image by StockUnlimited

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The opposite is true in some, also – their home is not a haven, and school was the only place where they were able to get away and feel safe. Also affected are kids at home where there is online bullying going on.

We have found that the Bark site/app is a really good way to monitor for online bullying and other cyber-no-no’s. I use Bark (Bark.us) for my kids’ devices and have found some things I’ve been able to discuss and help my kids with and steer them from. The service/app is very sensitive.

Speaking of monitoring the kiddos, I also JUST started using the Circle Device to limit times and restrict websites from my kids’ devices.

You can:

add bedtimes and awake times for each day,
limit apps and websites, and
add custom web URLs if they aren’t listed.

You will be able to block or restrict them.

When you plug the Circle Device into your router, it also has a whole-house setting where you can include laptop restrictions with those apps or sites, as well.

Get $20 off a Circle Device with this link!

Regarding the anxiety- similarly with adults, lockdown/quarantine/stay-home is taking a toll on anxiety levels in some, while others have countered with, “I’ve been training for this all my life!”.

Either which way your area is doing school – in person or online, it’s much different this year. Boards and decision-makers for Grade schools, High schools, colleges, and universities are feeling their way through this landmine called 2020, trying to figure out what’s best and safest.

Teen on computer — Copyright: Image by StockUnlimited

Whether your school is online or in person, you probably still need to buy at least some school supplies, planners, or Back-to-School Clothes for your growing kids…or cool stuff for their dorm room (even if their dorm room is still at home). You may even be in the market for a new Laptop or Desktop computer.

I’m sure you know – Amazon is your one-stop-shop for all your back-to-school needs, including many Textbooks and Required Reading selections.

How is your area doing school? What’s it look like for you? What long-term consequences in education do you think may come from our present situation?

Drop us a comment in the discussion below!

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