Don't reinvent the wheel

I have kids in 3 different schools and I've found there is a constant need to visit uniform shops, create costumes for performances and provide notes for excursions, driving courses to attend, study lectures and a myriad of other things that may or may not be brought to my attention.

I had to go to Kmart to buy the shirt needed for the concert, so I emailed the class and took orders, and got what I could, as it seemed pointless for everyone to have to go for the same thing.

When I discovered we'd missed the excursion note, I emailed my friends just in case they were in the same boat and one of them had also missed it. She too was able to call the office and pay, and sign the form before departure in the morning.

With the HSC pending, we're sharing information on open days and other things that may be of interest. There is information everywhere, not just the school news letters, so it's worth sharing what you find.

If you aren't doing this, consider starting to do so. Life gets busier and busier, and the high school students are not necessarily as efficient as they should be. What started as an easy habit in primary is just as useful in high school.

We don't all need to reinvent the wheel - if you're going to the Uniform shop (if it's offsite), put it up on FB and save someone the trip.

If you have to make a costume for the concert, work together with the other families who need the same costume. Many hands make light work - and having many people scouting different locations for the difficult items is a blessing.

Offer to carpool to those weekend birthday parties. Let someone else have some of their weekend back. Next time they might do the save you the four hours out of your Saturday.

They may not be your child's friends, and they may not even be your friends, but you are all kicking around together for 6 or more years, and they are your child's cohort, so it is in the interest of your 'village'. And you never know, one day it will be you who gets the much needed heads up, or saved the trip to the shops.

Over the many years, it all evens out in the end.

Linking this post about making the school days easier (for everyone, both parents and kids) with #TellUsAbout School days....