Moms Talk: Our First Back-To-School

Welcome back to Mom's Talk! Each week, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community are all welcome to weigh in and use the discussion forum as a resource. Each week, we'll pose a question and solicit feedback on a wide array of issues, but you should feel free to suggest questions you'd like to see discussed as well.

This week, our discussion turns to back to school routines.  This upcoming Monday, I am starting down a new path - "Mom of a School Aged Kid."  As my work girlfriends and I determined, I have now entered a new tier of parenthood.  It goes beyond "how often do I feed the kid?"  "Should I only give them organic milk?"  "Should I have different helmets for skateboarding, scootering and bike riding?" You know.  Once you add the PTA, all bets are off.  I've entered a different universe.

So, what did I do to prepare to for this world?  I bought all of the school supplies listed on the Montgomery County Kindergarten School Supply List (with a little help from my friends regarding which Expo markers to purchase - I got both thick and thin).  I got Ben a new lunchbag, water bottle, sandwich box (robots, thank you) and New backpack and shoes (Darth Vader, duh) and .... what am I forgetting? 

We have our new schedule set up. My husband will handle drop off.  I'll be home for Ben getting off the bus. What else? What else?  Honestly.  Neurotic Mom Alert. What am I missing? I already have a list of all the potential items to pack for lunch snacks. I have already signed up for my PTA assignment. What else do we need to do? What did you do in your kid's first year of school that you think might be helpful for all of us "new parents of a kindergarteners" out there? 

Thanks for your help! Wish me luck on Monday!