The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
And they're off: the race to buy school supplies has begun. That's right, the time has come to head out to the stores, with your list at the ready, in search of school supplies, clothing, backpacks, and lunch boxes. After all, you want your children to have everything they need for the school year and for their teacher's class list. Here are a few tips to help you stay calm during all the tumult. First of all, carefully examine the list of supplies requested by the school. These detailed lists can be big orders to fill, so start early, take your time, and do it right. Some stores organize their school supply section based on the lists supplied by the schools, while others offer personalized help in finding items on the list. To save yourself some money, you could check the flyers of the various stores before leaving home. You could also buy some items, such as pencils, pads of paper, and exercise books, in larger quantities. That way you'll have everything at hand if your children run out during the school year Ñ you won't have to go shopping yet again and pay the full price. Keep in mind that selecting products of a lesser quality could cause you a few headaches if they break or wear out too quickly. What you should be looking for is the best quality/price ratio. Lastly, include your children in this shopping trip if they express the desire to accompany you, but be sure to set certain limits before you leave home. Let them know if there is a budget for extras, and if not, remind them that they are meant to be helpers rather than shoppers.
