Parents’ Checklist for Back to School

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Back to school time can be just as tough on parents as it is on kids. I created a “Back to Campus Shopping Checklist” for GetButtonedUp.com and just about now grade school students are getting supply lists sent to them. But what about a checklist for parents? For that I turned to my mother-in-law, Irene Berman. She shares my love of lists and stationary.

She has taught public school for over 30 years in New York and Chicago. This past June she retired and I’ve never seen anyone so upset to leave a job. She really loves finding creative ways to teach kids things for the first time. It’s an amazing trait – I could never do it.

Here’s her Back to School Checklist for Parents:

  1. Take advantage of back to school clothes sales in July and August.
  2. Organize closets to help kids get ready faster in the morning.
  3. Get back to a school time bed routine. You might want to practice with an alarm clock.
  4. Try to get your child’s supply list and shop during sales because Halloween items come out soon.
  5. Update your calendar with school holidays and events.
  6. Check your immunization and medical records to make sure they are up to date.
  7. Make your sure you have emergency phone numbers and contacts for the school to reach.
  8. Create an IN/OUT box for school notice and forms.
  9. Get your home ready by organizing a quiet place for your child do do his homework.
  10. Create a homework box-with all supplies needed for homework…NO EXCUSES!!!! Also, if your kids are a little younger and need a helping hand with a certain area of learning, you could visit somewhere like Little Thinkers Center to get them back into learning!

Happiness Seeker Gretchen Rubin is a List Maker

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Have you ever wished you were happier? I think a lot of people think about this but do nothing about it. Author Gretchen Rubin did something about it and spent a year focusing on ways to be happier. The result is a fabulous read called The Happiness Project. If you haven’t read it — you must. It’s funny, cute, insightful and thought provoking. She also has a blog by the same name.

It has changed the way I think about a lot of things and it has even altered my morning commute. Instead of stuffing myself onto the packed L train — I opt to walk to Union Square through a lovely park. I get a little exercise and I get some time all to myself.  Happiness found!

As you’ll read in the book — Gretchen is a list maker.  I’ve asked her to share some of her list-making secrets as my featured “List Producer” this month. Read more

Vacation Planning Made Easy With a List

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Planning vacations is one of my favorite topics, and it is for others too.  For the most part, all that matters to people is that they get to relax and have a great vacation. I bring it up with almost everyone I meet because I love to get word-of-mouth recommendations for new adventures.

I recently met Korinne Kubena Belock, founder of Urban Simplicity, and we got to talking about trips of course. Korinne worked with Mayor Michael Bloomberg for 10 years as an organizer for his team. Since then she’s left and started her own organizing company in New York City to help people simplify their lives.

She mentioned that she was taking a trip to California and needed a guest blog while she was away. This is where I come in with one of my lists. I was thrilled when she asked me to guest blog and fill a void on her site while she basks in the sun! Check out my list for planning a vacation.

Planning a Destination Wedding

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Wedding bells rang over and over again across New York State yesterday as same-sex couples tied the knot. Since New York now allows gay marriage – it’s becoming a destination for engaged couples! This reminds me of my own destination wedding in Puerto Rico and all the work that goes into planning an “away wedding.” It’s just as important to make sure that yourselves enjoy your hen and stag do’s! You’ll only get these once!

Sure some people will love you for having your wedding in a tropical or fun destination – but be prepared for some naysayers. Once you get over that and settle on your guest list there is a lot of planning ahead of you. Staying organized when planning one of the biggest events of your life is key. Otherwise you’ll be a stressed out mess and miss out on all the fun stuff! Read more

Avoiding Stupid Mistakes With a Checklist

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This happens every year – someone’s kid gets left on a hot bus for hours. It’s inexcusable because it’s dangerous and it’s such an avoidable mistake! I heard about the first one of the year this morning as I listened to 1010 WINS. It made me think — a simple checklist would fix this problem.

Seriously – how many of you think…”I could NEVER leave a kid on a bus by mistake”?  But guess what… it happens all the time! And the reason it happens is because we are so distracted with everything else going on in our lives that we forget the easy stuff.

Picture It…An Avoidable Mistake

My very first TV job was at WLNY-TV 55 on Long Island. I was an intern in 2001 and then hired as a writer while I finished up my degree at Hofstra University. Random fact: It’s where I met my hubby, Jay, and also my best friend, Danielle! One night at the station will live on in infamy – all because of a stupid, avoidable mistake. Read more