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Yikes! We are quickly approaching fall which means BACK TO SCHOOL. So what are we to do? As our kid’s parents and caretakers, what is the best decision for us to make?

We can officially say this is a year unlike any other. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on life… then something new is announced, decided, or changed.

2020 has been WILD to say the least!

When looking at schooling options for your kids it really boils down to only three:

• In-person learning at school
• Virtual learning via the school
• Homeschooling at home

In this article, I am going to touch on each one of these options.

Why do I feel I can speak on each of these?

Because I’m a mom of 4 kids and at some point in their educational lives we have done each of these three options. 

I’m not a pro in any of them but do have some experience. 

So here we go… 

#1 IN-PERSON LEARNING

For those who have chosen in-person learning this fall, I know this wasn’t the easiest decision but based on your work schedule and/or what the scientific studies… you’ve chosen to send your kids back to school. 

So how do we make it the best and safest experience as possible?  

SAFETY

Teaching our kids about proper handwashing has ALWAYS been important… and now more than ever it’s worth the time to slow down and go over it again and again. 

According to the CDC:

Follow these five steps every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

When, where, why, how? Check out the answers here: 

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

MASKS

Teach your kids the proper use and wear of the mask.

Whether you are all for or all against the use of masks during this time, let your public officials know all about how you feel about them…

But can I ask a huge favor? If we don’t agree with what someone else is or isn’t doing… can we choose love and grace above all… and just leave each other alone? 

There is no need to shame or guilt anyone about anything. We have all been given the right to an opinion and to our freedom of choice. I believe we are doing the best we can with what we are facing, we need to be in this together. 

Find what works best for you and your family… and go for it. 

I’m a huge believer that our public officials work for US, the people, therefore, they need to know how we feel about the things happening within our communities. 

GLASSES

Hey, glasses wearers… how are you holding up with these masks?? I know, I know. All we see is fog. I couldn’t believe the first time I walked into Costco with my mandated mask and glasses… goodness, I couldn’t breathe or see a thing. 

My 10-year-old is also a glasses wearer and has been begging me for a solution to this or to get him contacts. 

Here’s a solution I found for both adults and kids!! So simple, so easy, so inexpensive. Got some band-aids? That’s it. 

HAND SANITIZER

Have you noticed that not all hand sanitizers are created equal?

I’m telling you there have been a few places I have gone into that require you to use their hand sanitizer before entering. There is one type that I swear smells like TEQUILA! It’s so bad.

My husband totally agrees with me. He and I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in over 11 years… but you NEVER forget the smell of tequila. 

I found this hand sanitizer and not only does it smell wonderful but it kills 99.99% of common germs and bacteria on the skin surface quickly AND it moisturizes your hands with Pro-Vitamin B5 and aloe essence.

Why Pro-Vitamin B5? It helps keep skin soft, smooth, and healthy. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help stimulate your skin’s healing processes. Deeply hydrating, it helps keep skin quenched by absorbing moisture from the air.

But beware… this product is hard to keep in stock! There is an order limit of 5 and it still sells out. Keep this link to keep checking back for availability.

Click here:

SPORTS AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

All 4 of my kids are in after school sports and activities. We live and thrive off of them. So when the conversation started with football being in limbo this fall my boys started to worry. 

Thankfully our state has allowed football to go on as usual, following safety guidelines, of course. 

Again, this is up to you as the parent and caretaker of your kids, I just know how excited my kids are to get back into a social and competitive atmosphere with their friends and teammates.

SUPPLIES

THE BEST BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING HACKS!

• Where to shop
• When to shop
• What to buy
• What to stock up on
• What to avoid
• And more!

Also, be sure NOT to miss this… buy a Mac or iPad and get a FREE pair of AirPods!

IMMUNITY BOOSTING

We will dive more into this below. 

Definitely check out this article 16 Easy Ways to Boost Immunity and Keep Your Family Safe!

#2 VIRTUAL AT HOME LEARNING

For those that have chosen the virtual school route via the children’s school whether you were told that is what you were doing or you made that decision as a family… you’re doing what’s best for you. 

I also know there are many families that are having a hard time being told their kids cannot go back to in-person learning because their jobs are not flexible work from home jobs. So what to do?

Head here for an article on 7 things to do when you don’t want to go back to work.

Here are some tips:

SCHEDULING

When the original shutdown happened back in March, our school continued on with education for the remainder of the year. The administration and staff did a fantastic job pivoting quickly and continuing on. 

With that decision that caused us as parents to quickly pivot and adjust as well. 

One of the biggest things I appreciated was with our upper school kids they kept the kid’s schedules the same, just moved it online. So they met with the same teachers at the same time, just via an online platform.

For my elementary and preschool kids, however, that didn’t happen.

Elementary was sent a daily/weekly schedule of what needed to be done. The teachers did schedule some online, face to face time, but it was very little. It was up to the students and caregivers to get the work done. 

The first day arrived and my son (10) was DONE with his entire school day in ONE HOUR! I couldn’t’ believe it. I reviewed his work and was like wow… look at that. Maybe it was a fluke. 

Day 2 the same and day 3 the same. That’s when I knew I had to do something!!!

I created our own schedule where he would get his mandatory school work done but also explore out into other areas. 

I did a lot of research to find options that he would like and to keep him engaged in learning throughout the day. 

Go here for the complete list of 21 BEST EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AT HOME to help you create the perfect schedule for your child.

From art, to cooking, to physical exercise, to music, and foreign languages… there’s something for every child.

This is one of the most popular posts on my blog. 

ORGANIZING

As the mom of 4 students suddenly schooling from home, I took all of their schedules and hung them up at my desk and in the kitchen so I knew who, what, where, and when. 

I set reminders in my electronic calendar to help keep everyone on track.

I also created a scheduler for them to use for homework. So they could see at a glance what was due each day/week.

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You can use a family organizer app which is super helpful:

Cozi is the must-have organizer for families. It helps coordinate and communicate everyone’s schedules and activities, track grocery lists, manage to-do lists, plan ahead for dinner, and keep the whole family on the same page.

SPACE

Back in March, I had to suddenly turn my house into a school for 5 people! Yes, 5 different workspaces. My 4 kids and my husband who was a teacher. So trust me when I say I understand about having to get creative with what you’ve got. 

Setting up a workspace that is conducive for growth and learning is so important. Things such as proper lighting, organization, supplies, removal of distractions, etc. 

I think the most important thing you can focus on is to make your space yours and your kid’s space theirs.

Yes, have the essentials there but also have them decorate to their personality. A picture, a plant, quotes or scriptures… anything that will keep them feeling secure, confident, and open to learning.

Be sure to check out: 11 WAYS YOU AND YOUR KIDS WILL ROCK WORKING FROM HOME

In this post, I cover 6 ways for you to work from home productively and also 5 ways to help your kids do the same.

Here are some more really great tips for setting up your learning space at home.

SPORTS & AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Since your child is a student at your school please know that they are still able to participate in extracurricular activities at their school. Just because they aren’t physically attending the school doesn’t mean they aren’t a student there. 

SUPPLIES

THE BEST BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING HACKS!

• Where to shop
• When to shop
• What to buy
• What to stock up on
• What to avoid
• And more!

Also, be sure NOT to miss this… buy a Mac or iPad and get a FREE pair of AirPods!

IMMUNITY BOOSTING

Covered below.

Definitely check out this article 16 Easy Ways to Boost Immunity and Keep Your Family Safe! 

#3 HOMESCHOOLING

If you are new to homeschooling I know this is a big step. Two of my boys started their educational path by being homeschooled. I’m not saying I am a homeschooling pro by any stretch but I did learn things along the way.

As you are walking into the unknown here are a few tips to help you get started: 

DESCHOOL

I think one of the main things that need to happen is the mindset shift of going from attending a traditional school to homeschool. It’s called “deschooling” and I believe both the parents and the kids need to go through this transition. 

Deschooling:

Deschooling: Starting Out Right at Home

LAWS

Each state has their own homeschool laws. It will be important for you to look up your state’s laws in order to properly withdraw from your current school and set up your homeschooling. 

https://hslda.org/legal

CURRICULUM

There are a lot of options when it comes to homeschooling curriculum. We used Abeka for my boys. 

There is a MEGA SALE for curriculum going on right now… it ends Monday, 8/10, check it out!

SUPPLIES

THE BEST BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING HACKS!

• Where to shop
• When to shop
• What to buy
• What to stock up on
• What to avoid
• And more!

Also, be sure NOT to miss this… buy a Mac or iPad and get a FREE pair of AirPods!

ORGANIZATION

As the teacher, you will need to discover your teaching style. There are tons of articles out there on how to organize your space and your day. Be sure to check out the sites I listed under “resources” below.

As far as your child’s space, this will be the same as the setup for your virtual learning student talked about above. 

Family Organizer:

Cozi is the must-have organizer for families. It helps coordinate and communicate everyone’s schedules and activities, track grocery lists, manage to-do lists, plan ahead for dinner, and keep the whole family on the same page.

RESOURCES

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/

Home page

QUICKSTART GUIDES:

https://fearlesshomeschool.com/quick-start-homeschooling/

https://go.hslda.org/webinar/HomeschoolingThisFall

HOMESCHOOLING SUMMIT

New to homeschooling and wish you could benefit from the experience of long-term homeschoolers?

Now you can! 33 fantastic online homeschooling workshops live AND recorded for you.

If you’d like to watch them at your leisure you’ll get access to all the recordings, AND the downloads, AND the mp3 files, AND get an amazing bundle of homeschooling resources! 

All for a totally affordable price.

They’ll teach you how to get started well, how to get the right mindset for successful homeschooling, and how to teach lots of different subjects, including the tricky ones like maths and science.

You’ll be introduced to homeschooling styles and approaches that are way more fun and effective than anything a school can do.

They have some special workshops about homeschooling teens and show you how to plan and manage your homeschool and your life so that everything actually gets done.

And it’s all coming from experienced homeschooling parents – they’ve been there, done it, doing it now, and this is the stuff they wish they’d known when they started out. And now they’re sharing it with you so you can skip the mistakes and get straight to the smooth and easy homeschool you want to have!

https://fearlesshomeschool.thrivecart.com/start-homeschooling-summit/

ORGANIZATIONS & SUPPORT GROUPS

Since homeschooling is regulated at the state level, connecting with local homeschoolers is an important step to start homeschooling. State homeschool organizations and local homeschool groups are not just a good place to learn the specifics of legally homeschooling in Wisconsin—they can also help you to get connected with the local homeschooling community. Many homeschool groups offer co-ops, classes, sports and arts opportunities, and social get-togethers.

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/local-support/homeschool-organizations-and-support-groups/

CO-OPS & ACADEMIC CLASSES

Looking for someone to teach physics to your teen? Need a way to avoid teaching algebra? Want to enroll your Kindergartener in a co-op for social time? Homeschool classes and co-ops are a great way to spend time with other homeschoolers and skill-share with other homeschool parents.

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/local-support/homeschool-co-ops-and-classes/

FIELD TRIPS

The cool thing about homeschooling is there is no schedule… you dictate when you do what you want to do. Therefore, that leaves a ton of opportunity for going out and seeing the world and learning at the same time.

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschool-help/field-trips/

ARTS & SPORTS

In addition to the opportunity to get out of the house and socialize, homeschool sports and arts programs can offer long-term benefits by developing characteristics like leadership, self-confidence, perseverance, and self-esteem. Many organizations and businesses have opportunities specifically for homeschoolers, while others invite homeschoolers to participate in their regular programs.

Not sure how to choose activity/activities for your children? Read how Rebecca narrows down the choice of extra-curricular activities.

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/local-support/homeschool-arts-sports-opportunities/

SUPPLIES

THE BEST BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING HACKS!

• Where to shop
• What to avoid
• When to shop
• What to buy and stock up on
• And more!

Also, be sure NOT to miss this… buy a Mac or iPad and get a FREE pair of AirPods!

IMMUNITY BOOSTING

I dive deep on the topic of boosting immunity from the inside out in 16 Easy Ways to Boost Immunity and Keep Your Family Safe!

Be sure to go here to get all the details on caring for your outside items and space along with what to do on the inside to boost immunity and keep your family healthy and safe!

Here I want to cover the topic of gut health. Did you know 70% of our immune system is found in our GUT? That’s why gut health is the most important when it comes to boosting our immunity.

Support your kids’ immune system and digestive health with probiotics.

Why target gastro health?

Ongoing scientific research suggests that the gastrointestinal tract constitutes about 70% of the immune system! Support your immune system by adding “good bacteria” — probiotics — to your digestive system.

Maintain a healthy balance with probiotics

With probiotics, we can help maintain a balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system. Our intestines contain 400 types of probiotic bacteria, with the largest group being lactic acid bacteria. The best known of these is lactobacillus acidophilus.

Discover Nutrilite™ Kids Probiotic

Nutrilite™ Kids Probiotic is designed to deliver lactobacillus acidophilus to support digestive health, and in turn, support kids’ immunity.

This probiotic supplement offers several benefits, like:

• A great-tasting, berry-flavored chewable that kids will enjoy taking
• 1 billion CFU (“colony-forming units”) of a natural lactobacillus acidophilus strain, to encourage the growth of healthy bacteria
• A formula designed for kids ages 4-12— but also great for adults who don’t like swallowing tablets
• Vitamin C derived from acerola cherries that are grown on our own certified organic farms, to further support the immune system

Nutrilite™ Kids Chewable Vitamin C 

Support your immune system

Chewable vitamin C supplement for kids that supports little immune systems all year long.

• Vitamin C from exclusive Nutrilite™ acerola cherry concentrate.
• Support healthy bones, teeth, and gums.
• Helps iron absorption for healthy growth and development.
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
• Tropical fruit flavor.

I hope this helps you as you and your family prepare to head back to school whether that looks like hopping back on the school bus or walking to the kitchen table.

Overall, we decided as a family to continue to live this life we’ve been given and not live in fear. I’m a believer that God didn’t design us to live a fearful life. 

So we are moving forward with our day-to-day operations, following guidelines, but not letting any of this slow us down. 

I am praying for you and your family as you make decisions and preparations for the upcoming school year.

xoxo, Mo

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