Closing in on that time of year

Back to the heat and humidity of home. Oh well.

Now our focus turns to back to school. As my son begins Pre-K, and is need of actual basic school supplies, the decision becomes...do we buy him something that will last or do we go for the cheapest products knowing that a few of his supplies will probably be shall we say misplaced or mishandled?

Not all supplies are created equal. The old adage that says you get what you pay for is often spot on. Almost every product produced from traditional American manufacturers like Avey, Smead, Esselte, and 3M, will have a version produced in China as well. The quality is often a shade off from the original. In some cases it may not matter. In other cases, the scissors may cut one or twice and that's about it. It may not cost you much to replace it, but going back to the store again for another petty item can be a real hassle. I guess in the end, it's a decision you'll make on a case by case basis. You get the more durable school bag only to to discover they lost it. You buy the cheaper one only to watch it tear.

Speaking of retail stores, and in this case office supply retailers as well as big box retailers. Consider buying your supplies online this year. Have them delivered to your door rather than participating in the back to school retail rush. Buying online from your list helps you to avoid the impulse buys that all too often occur once you walk in the store. No candy bars, extra this or a little of that...pure efficiency.

If your child is entering a new school. I recently read where the transition is easier if you provide them with examples rather than lecturing to the what to do. In other words, they do listen to you and if you can tell them a tale of when you were in their position without pontificating, you may be surprised by the results. Relating to your child without dismissing their concerns is huge.

So, where do I stand on the quality issue? I'm in the buy better camp because I remember how I treated my stuff. I didn't lose my bag but I did throw it around, I jammed it in my locker, sat on it, etc. Paper and notebooks were often bent or torn as a result. Here's a product from Cardinal that may offer a nice benefit to older students.
Click to learn more: Item number CRD84007 :