It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and back to school time is right around the corner! Though the heat continues, it’s time to start thinking about fall and everything that goes into planning for the new school year. Whether your kids are entering kindergarten or getting ready for their final year of high school, here are a few things to keep in mind as you make plans for the school year.
Car Shopping
If you have older children who are going to be driving to school this year, you probably have car shopping on your agenda! What an exciting time for your son or daughter, but stressful time for you as a parent.
“Safety and reliability are huge factors when it comes to car shopping for your kids,” explains Eric Olsen with Honda of Lincoln. “We get a lot of customers looking for a pre-owned Honda because of the safety rating and reliability. They will drive and drive if you maintain them and many times, one purchase of a Honda can take a kid all the way through high school, college and beyond. At any given time, we usually have around 60 pre-owned Hondas on the lot and they range in price anywhere from $1500 to $20,000, so there really is a pre-owned Honda for every budget. We also have a number of other used cars on our lot that aren’t Hondas and, if a customer has some time and can be patient, we can generally find the car they want.”
“When it comes to shopping for your school-age child, we see some parents come in and choose a car for them and other times, they bring the child in to help with the selection. It’s really personal preference and we’ve seen both work equally well. What we also see a lot of is the parents coming in to purchase a new car for themselves and then giving their used car to their kid to use as a school car. This works especially well for Hondas because they drive for so long. Even if the parents have owned it for ten years or more, it will still be a safe and reliable car for their kids.”
Budgeting is usually an issue when it comes to buying a school car. “If your budget allows, we recommend buying a new Honda as it will last for a long time and retain its value so that when your child is done with school, it will still be worth money and they can either sell it or trade it in for something newer. If the parents or their kids don’t have the money to buy the car outright, we also have a full-time finance department here. Because of the volume of business we do at local banks, we can generally get a better rate with our negotiating power, so most of our customers finance here.”
Clothes Shopping
Clothes shopping is always a priority for back to school! Whether your kids are young and you need to go buy a new fall wardrobe because they have grown out of the previous year’s clothes or you have older kids who want to have the latest fashions when they walk through the doors of their school, clothes shopping is on every parent’s to-do list.
“I think you should have a plan for what your needs are (number of new jeans, tops, etc.) and try to stick to that plan,” says Kelly Merklein with Blu Velvet. “I also think you should pick pieces that you (or your child) can wear in a few different ways. This year’s vests are a big trend, so you could take one top and change it up with a vest or cute jacket or sweater. Try to get things that work well together and add accessories as they are a great way to change up a top, too. A scarf or a necklace can completely change an outfit.”
“Everyone wants fresh, clean clothes for the new school year,” says Amanda with BeYourself Boutique. “New clothes make you feel good.” If you have young children who are still growing, clothes are not only a ‘want’ they are a ‘need’ as last year’s school clothes probably no longer fit! If your kids are younger, make sure you take them in to the stores with you though it may be tempting to just pick them out some outfits while you’re out and about running errands. Even though you may know what size they wear, you usually can’t really tell how an items fits until they try it on and you don’t want to have to add returning clothes to your already packed ‘to do’ list. Keep an eye on fashion, but also go for clothes that are durable and that have a little give to them so they won’t be grown out of so quickly.
If your kids are older, fashion and trends is probably what will take top priority when shopping this year and you definitely won’t be able to get away with shopping for your kids without them there to voice their own opinion. “Girls’ trends for 2012 include high and low hems on dresses, saffron sheer tops, neat cut-offs and open backs. You can also expect the new fall colors to be coming out in both tops and bottoms. Skinny jeans, high-waisted pants and crop tops are also going to be on the radar for the school year.”
“The big thing this year is Western boots,” adds Kelly with Blu Velvet. “Tall, short, colorful, plain, fringy and studded, they are so in! Wear them with denim, dresses and just about anything else you want to. This is a trend that is really fun and different from past years. I love the boho Western look for back to school this year, too. Kind of relaxed and hippyish, yet stylish. This casual look can be brought to a dressier look by just adding a fun fringy vest to a dress or something like that. This season really has a myriad of styles to choose from. The boho look is one of them. The preppy look is always in with stripes and riding boots, also the blingy trend and animal prints are still in with everything from shoes to scarves. I think animal print adds a pop of fun when used in shoes and scarves. Also, I need to mention the trends in colored and printed skinny jeans. This is a really big trend and they come in all fits and rises, so everyone can wear them. I think choosing a simple top is best when wearing these pants, but they are so fun! Add boots to any outfit and you will be on top of the fashion world!”
If you want to stretch your budget, a good idea is to take your kids shopping at resale shops like Plato’s Closet and OMT! You can get a lot of great name brands at a fraction of the cost and no one will ever know that they aren’t brand new. What’s even better is that at the end of the year when they are through wearing these cloths (or they grow out of them), you can take them back and get credit to buy different clothes! It’s hard to beat a deal like that.
Of course, you can’t forget the boys in the family!! Depending on your son’s style, he may want to go shopping for the latest jeans and polos or he may be a bit edgier and want some cool skate gear to wear. If your son falls into the latter category, make sure you take him into Precision Skateboards in Gateway Mall for all the latest skate shoes and accessories for the skater in your family. You may even want to consider getting him a new skateboard that he can ride to school (if this makes sense for where you live).
Eye Exam and Glasses Shopping
Getting your child an eye exam before they return to school is important, especially if they have experienced vision problems before. Even if they currently wear glasses or contacts, it’s a good idea to get them checked out in case their vision needs have changed. Remember, your son or daughter might not tell you if their vision is bothering them or they may not even realize that they aren’t seeing as clearly as they used to. Vision problems can affect them at school, leading to learning problems, attention problems, headaches and more.
One reason your child may be hesitant to visit the eye doctor is that they are afraid they will have to get glasses. Try to lessen the fear for them by telling them you can always consider contact lenses or by letting them know they can pick out some trendy frames that will actually enhance their sense of style. The styles of glasses these days are much different from years back and some kids are even wearing glasses with clear lenses just as a fashion statement!
Supply Shopping
Shopping for school supplies is a little different than it used to be, especially if your children are a little older. Although there is still the need for notebooks, folders, pens, binders and other traditional supplies, parents are now having to look at buying laptops, iPads and other technology that can often confusing (and expensive!), especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The best thing you can do is talk to the school about what your child will need to best succeed this year, then go to a store that has experts in technology who can help you pick out the best options.
Safety for Kids
If you’re a working parent, one of your worries with the school year starting is probably whether or not your kids get home safe each day. “With total connect from Honeywell and AlarmLink USA, our clients can get an email when your system is disabled, in alarm or armed to know when your children get home,” explains RJ Lipert with AlarmLink USA. “You can also add residential cameras to view them coming home and even unlock the door for them or house guests with total connect by AlarmLink.”
Returning to School for Adults
Back to school time is not just for kids! Plenty of adults return to school each fall as well. There are the ‘traditional’ college students who return to school right after graduating from high school and there are the ‘non-traditional’ college students who take some time off after high school to raise a family, start a career or have other experiences and then decide to return to school after their kids are older or to further their education to get a better job. Are you considering returning to school or are you a new university student (or have a son or daughter who is)? If so, here are some considerations:
Deciding to return to school
Whether you never made it to college after high school or you have an associate’s or undergraduate degree and want to further your education, you may be considering returning to school in the near future. This is becoming more and more common for adults and they are returning to school in their 20s, 30s and all the way up into their 60s and beyond!
“Returning to school is a big commitment to make, especially when you have a family and job,” points out Jodi Groeteke with Concordia University. “It is important to consider what program will benefit you most in your current job. If you are considering a career change, take some introductory courses in the field you think you will like. Choosing the right school is important as well. Choose a school that is accredited and one that offers classes that fit your schedule. There is a mix of class delivery options available to students at Concordia University. We offer classes online and/or face-to-face and we have designed our graduate programs so that students only take one class at a time for eight weeks. It’s important to choose the one that is right for you.”
“When preparing to return to school, it is important that you and your family understand the time commitment,” she continues. “It’s important to work out a schedule that works for everyone. It is also important to consider the financial burden of returning to school. Financial aid is available and employers are still offering tuition reimbursements. There are other funding sources available to adult students like grants, scholarships and military benefits as well. EducationQuest can also be a valuable resource for adult learners. If you can manage the course load and financial burden, returning to school is a great decision that can only benefit you in the long run.”
Safety
Safety should always be of concern, especially for college students who may not be used to a larger city or the many events and other functions they will be attending. “Taking a taxi is always a safe alternative if they are traveling,” states Lori Mitchell with Happy Cab. “This is especially true if a student is tired or fatigued, under the influence of an intoxicant, when traveling at night or when traveling with someone under the influence or in an unfamiliar area. Most colleges and universities offer some type of safe ride program as a safe alternative. New or returning students should contact their student affairs department to learn about any safe ride home programs that may be offered.”
If you do decide a cab is the right option to get home safely, Happy Cab makes a great option. They have the lowest approved taxicab rates in Lincoln and a sophisticated dispatch system for tracking passengers waiting to be picked up. In addition, their company has set the standard for safety through the most comprehensive screening criteria for new drivers and vehicle inspections that are conducted by ASE certified mechanics.
Fall is an exciting time for students, especially if they are making a big transition (into kindergarten, high school or college). It’s important as parents to help them make the most of their education by helping them be prepared for that first day.