Preparing for your first sememster-things you DID/WISH you had done..

windmill182 · Jul 25, 2011

One thing I am doing is freezing meals that can be reheated easily. For instance, casseroles, taco meat, soups, chili. (Food Savers are amazing) Just for those busy nights when I need to be able to throw something in the oven or heat up quickly.

Southern Magnolia · Jul 25, 2011

I'm starting this fall and have a 4 & 6 year old. I have done the things already suggested. My additional suggestion is that I also bought a couple of toys on sale for each gender and gift bags and cards for the inevitable last minute birthday party invitations. I have also made a detailed daily schedule for everyone and a list of things I need my husband to take care of. This will probably get tweaked along the way but it's helped me plan study time, class time, shopping, commute, and see exactly how much things are really going to change. I've been a stay at home mom for six years so I usually do EVERYTHING. It's going to be a switch for everyone.

katybeto · Jul 25, 2011

I work full time as a nanny (and I'm also a nursing student which is why I'm on this site:) ) I have used care.com and sittercity.com a lot. They are great! Both sitters/nannies and parents have profiles and most care takers have paid for a backgroundcheck through the site!

lillymom · Jul 25, 2011

I actually made a color coded schedule on Excel to show my family so they could get a visual of how much I would be away. I included driving time, appx. study time, sleep and all that good stuff. It is definately full but my husband now really sees how much I will be unavailable. I am worried more about how he and my daughter will do.

BelleNscrubs04 · Jul 25, 2011

In addition to trying to get the house in order. I have purchased a chore chart, & bought a large desk calendar. I've arranged how we are going to work handing off the kids and I'm putting out feelers for people to babysit if the kids get sick. I'm trying to squeeze in Dr & dental appointments for everyone now. We've already tackled eye appointments. I also want to get vet appointments done & flea/ heartworm meds on hand. I don't like planning meals too far in advance but I am thinking of just making a list of some easy favorites and stocking up on the items needed to make them. I'm looking for some more crock-pot recipes. I've also started restocking my school supplies, desk area.

As far as preparing my family goes, I had to do that last year when I started back to school and crammed in all my science pre-reqs/co-reqs in one year. For extended family, friends tell everyone how amazingly busy you are/will be (repeat as neccessary ) on Facebook : ) I found that for my husband and sons writing my schedule including blocked out time to study, and tests along with anything else I had to do posted right on the fridge helped. When that wasn't enough to impress them with how much I needed their help and cooperation they eventually figured out they had better pitch in and do the laundry when the clothes started taking over the hallway and they ran out of things to wear. And that brings me to my final tip give everyone a lesson on how to do any chores that you might want them to be responsible for and the standards you expect. It will save you a lot of frustration when you are stressed. I also continually remind myself, "It doesn't have to be done perfect or even particularly well, at least it got done by someone else".

MammaNurse2Be · Jul 25, 2011

This is how I am preparing.... I just posted my job listing for nanny help on sitter city. My good friend, who is a dentist, has found good help with them. I paid for one month and only time will tell if I can find someone.

I have those post it notes that are list size and I have made small lists that are on my cabinet cubbords of quick breakfast ideas, lunch ideas, snack ideas. As I think of something, I write it down. When I have a lot on my mind, it can be hard to come up with good ideas for meals. Plus I am a foodie so eating good, healthy homecooked food is important to me.

Mom Agenda makes great calendars as there is a spot for you and one for each child up to four. They also have a slot for what you want to make for dinner. I can see at glance where everyone is supposed to be. I only have three kids so my last slot is for my husband.

I have a huge dining room table that I have just claimed as my office desk. I have my laptop at one end and will have books set up in stations so I can find what I need quickly. Behind me is a bookshelf with reference books, extra paper, stapler, hole punch etc. It has an area for me to put my back pack so I can always put it in the same spot when I get home.

I am about to stock up on extra toner cartridges and computer paper. I have memory sticks on hand if something happens to printer and I need to put a paper on a stick and run up to kinkos.

I am packing a small bag with emergency cash, asthma meds, bandaides, lipbalm, hairbrush, advil, emergency granola bar, menthol type stick for smelly situations, rubber bands and head band.

I need a new washer and dryer so I will be looking at getting that taken care of right away.

I have made the kids physicals, haircuts, dentists etc and mine too. Going into ob/gyn for checkup. Have bought a 6 month supply of laundry soap etc, the big heavy things that I usually buy in bulk anyway.

Bought kids updated school uniforms already, need to get their shoes. About to buy their school supplies.

My biggest "to do" is finding a nanny.

Then having fun with the kids for the rest of the summer!

sandanrnstudent · Jul 25, 2011

thanks for all the ideas! Love the sound of the mom agenda!

sandan rnstudent

Ginnym1981 · Jul 25, 2011

Yes these are great!

Thank you!!

And feel free to keep adding.....can never be TOO prepared

SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP · Jul 25, 2011

Have bought a 6 month supply of laundry soap etc, the big heavy things that I usually buy in bulk anyway.

This is a great idea.