Back-to-school Tips and Tricks

I love fall and the start of the new school year. It’s when I return to teaching and readjust to a routine of work, school, and activities. But summer’s end can be overwhelming, and even more so with a disability.

I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and am finding some aspects of getting ready for the new school year more daunting than before. To help me survive the back-to-school craziness, I have come up with a few tricks:

• Menu plan: Every Sunday, I go through the grocery store flyers, creating a menu and a shopping list for the week. This alleviates the dreaded dinner dilemma on school nights.
• Meal prep: I prepare lunch ingredients on weekends. When I make full meals, I pack lunch-size portions and freeze the rest for busy weekends.
• School supplies: I order my teen’s supplies online and either have them delivered or use in-store pickup.
• Organize ahead: The night before, I set out any vitamins and medicines that will be needed the next day. This saves time in the morning.
• Keep a calendar: We have a dry-erase calendar on the refrigerator to keep track of our upcoming activities. We also talk about the next day at dinner each evening.
• Skip the fast food: To avoid last-minute trips to the drive-through, I try to have pre-made dinners ready for days when time is limited.

When I return to work, I will need to unpack and set up my classroom. At the end of the last school year, I implemented a new system for storing my supplies. I sorted materials, putting my desk items in one cabinet, and tucking books I will need right away in their own basket. This system should make my job easier. I have also learned to ask for help with moving heavier objects.

Planning ahead helps both at home and at work. I hope these tips help you deal with the stress of a new school year.

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Note: Charcot-Marie-Tooth News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Charcot-Marie-Tooth News or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Charcot-Marie-Tooth.