Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Mommy Confession ~ Schooling Mom 102



As the picture above shows, this post is all about school supplies.  Or, how little I know about school supplies is more accurate. 

After our fiaso with the school district Schooling Mom 101 post, I thought it might be fun to include my other trials and mishaps as my family and I start the school year.  Onto school supplies. 

I get it, kids need supplies.  Teachers should NEVER be expected to provide students with supplies.  Yet, some things I just don't understand.  Like "brand specific" supply lists.  I personally haven't encountered this, but while chatting with Andrea, she mentioned one of her lists specifically said "Crayola Brand Crayons".  Yes, Crayola does "color my world" and the world of my kids, but what about the kids whose parents can't afford those?  Isn't the store brand just as good?  Is there something so wonderful about Crayola that NO other brand would be suitable?  Is it the smell of Crayola crayons (I *may* have a slight addiction to the smell of Crayolas...seriously people, it's scary).  It was later explained that the brand specific was due to community supplies for the classroom.  Oh, NOW I get it.  NOW it makes sense and NOW I feel like a doofus.  Brand specific school supplies.  Who knew?

My kids lists were pretty easy.  A few rolls of paper towels, some Kleenex, baby wipes, and Ziploc bags were on both of my kids lists.  Those were super easy to fulfill.  Thanks to Target and their wonderful UP and UP brand!  Pencils, glue sticks, and donations of crayons, markers and colored pencils rounded out the lists.  All easy purchases and most are really cheap with all the back to school dollars up for grabs!  That aside, as A and I were strolling down the aisle at Target, I noticed a really frazzled Mom.  She was losing it patiently waiting for her daughter to choose a notebook.  Another was frantically picking through the HUGE stack of spiral notebooks and muttering to herself.  Something about "why must they all be blue?".  I guess, all in all, I made out pretty easy this year.  I know from others that these lists only get longer and more expensive. 

The next supply dilemma I encountered was underwear related.  Did you know underwear is an essential school supply?  I didn't.  I found out it was.  Or maybe it technically isn't.  I don't know.  Anyway, I DO know that underwear is priced really well right now, so I added it to my list (for the kids).  Although, it seems that only girls panties are included in the back to school sales.  Sorry boys, your undies are still full priced.  You must wear you old stuff.  Why retail marketing and pricing gurus, is it only girls panties?  Boys go to school too.  They need new undies.  Also, why do girls get 8 pack panties and boys only 3?  Ahh, the questions that pop into my head.

Lastly, I've been listening to those Moms who have done this school thing for a while and got the coolest idea.  It was Andrea's idea.  I take zero credit for it.  She told me to go and get a plastic school box.  Put inside it a couple of sharpened pencils, a box of crayons, an eraser, and whatever else A may need for Kindergarten homework.  Label it to say "A's homework box" or something like that and put it where she can access it after school.  This way, you're never looking for a supply.  Brilliant!  This one feeds right into my organizing personality.  Love it!

Are you having school supply list issues?  Do you have any suggestions for me?  I'm such a novice it's scary.  Now, onto getting the kids back on a schedule :-/

5 comments:

  1. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by andrea mann, Kandi Barnes. Kandi Barnes said: Underwear as school supplies? Who knew? http://bit.ly/dsBplt Schooling Mom 102 is posted. [...]

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  2. Here is my HUGE piece of advice. Don't stress. Your kids don't need tons of new clothes. Also only buy new outfit for warm weather. One that they can wear for the 1st day of school. Instead buy clothes for cooler weather. September is almost here that means cooler weather so don't spend your hard earned money are shorts and short sleeve clothes. Spend it on jeans and long sleeves. That way in a few weeks you don't have to do more shopping.

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  3. Here is my HUGE piece of advice. Don't stress. Your kids don't need tons of new clothes. Also only buy new outfit for warm weather. One that they can wear for the 1st day of school. Instead buy clothes for cooler weather. September is almost here that means cooler weather so don't spend your hard earned money are shorts and short sleeve clothes. Spend it on jeans and long sleeves. That way in a few weeks you don't have to do more shopping.

    ReplyDelete