6 things to think about before your kids go back to school after Easter.

As far as school holidays go, the Easter ones would have to be the best. For both adult and child.

I think one reason for this is their duration. The second is chocolate.

Conveniently straddling the Easter festivities, they allow you to enjoy some time off and, unlike the seemingly never-ending Christmas variety, allow you to keep, as a parent, a small portion of your sanity. And also, CHOCOLATE. Did I mention that there’s chocolate?

Yet seemingly before we’ve even had a chance to finish off the last crème egg, it’s time to get the kids back into the daily school routine and worst of all, making school lunches. At least this time around, we don’t have to think about covering their books or labeling them, thankfully we took care of that in January.

We do, however, need to get our minds back into all things school-related. Here is an easy checklist to help you with that.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Combantrin®. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.

1. Uniforms

I know you think you already have this sorted, being a quarter of the way through the year and all, BUT did you know that lots of children (especially the younger ones) have already lost their hat by March 7? Or maybe that’s just my child. Either way; now is a good time to assess what your children have and haven’t lost. Also to note is that some schools start to wear their winter uniform in the second term.

2. Food containers/lunches

Lunchboxes and food containers are also something I find that are either lost, destroyed or just plain feral by term 2. My advice: don’t buy expensive containers. Buy something you can afford to ditch. I’m not sure if you’ve ever come across a petrified apple after someone – cough – leaves their child’s lunchbox in their school bag for an entire school holiday break, but there is NO coming back from that.

3. Worm your children

Kids are always hungry, so when they’re suddenly not, it’s a fairly good indication that something isn’t quite right. If you also find that they are particularly irritable and scratching their bottoms during the holidays, there’s a fairly good chance that they need to be wormed. The best time to do this of course (and if only EVERY parent would do this) is over the school holiday period if they have worms. This is because, more often than not, the last thing your child is concentrating on is personal hygiene when there is sun in the sky and games to be played on the school oval. As a result, school is one of the most likely places that your child will get worms and the Easter break is a perfect time to eradicate them if they are showing symptoms.

The good news here is that the Combantrin® worming treatment comes in delicious chocolate squares suitable for all of the family. So yes, you read that right, you get to have MORE (guilt-free) chocolate. 

4. Proper school bag

Most schools now have dedicated school bags that they encourage, if not enforce, children to use. This is for a good reason. These little guys are often lugging around their body weight in textbooks, equipment and let’s face it, footy trading cards. Choose a backpack with padded and adjustable shoulder, waist and chest straps. Their little spines will thank you.

5. Contact Details

One thing we don’t automatically remember to do if we move or change phone numbers or even get a new job is to update the school records. Circumstances change all the time, so now, while you’ve got a spare moment, might be a great time to notify your child’s school of any changes.

6. Label Label Label

I urge you to find a site that makes iron on labels. This will change your life. And then, go absolutely freaking nuts and label everything that isn’t nailed down. EVEN, as per point one, when your child loses their hat or jumper or school shoes (YES, this has actually happened in the past), if their names are firmly on these, there is a good chance they will be returned or easily identified at the lost and found.

To all the parents out their returning their children to school for another round, good luck to you all. And remember, enjoy this time, it’ll be over all too soon.

Make sure when using medicines to always read the label, use only as directed and if symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. 2638/14

Treating Worms With COMBANTRIN®

Threadworms are easy to catch, and can be treated very easily and effectively with COMBANTRIN® Chocolate Squares.

• COMBANTRIN® is the most trusted worming brand by Aussie mums.†
• COMBANTRIN® is Australia’s number one selling treatment* and the most recommended worming brand by mums.†
• COMBANTRIN® treats Threadworms, as well as the rare worms, Roundworms and Hookworms, in a single dose.

†COMBANTRIN® market research March 2014 *Aztec Pharmacy data MAT to February 2014.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.

Make sure when using medicines to always read the label, use only as directed and if symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. 2638/14