Toddler School Bags

I am reposting this here because it is so busy and may get help from mums with older kids or just general advise - thanks

My 5 year old daughter is having 2 friends from school home to play tomorrow (they are still 4 but same year in school will be 5 soon). We have to walk nearly a mile home with them and all their lunchboxes, book bags etc etc.

One of the children is a bit of a runner - you know runs off here and there before you know it. I thought the other one was quiet and well behaved as in the past has always stayed close and held hands - but was warned today by her mother that she is not very good around roads.

We have to cross an extremely busy road to get home already decided would cross in a different place where there is a small island half way so only have to check traffic in one direction. Thought I would have the girl I knew to be a runner in one hand and the other friend holding the other hand and my daughters hand.
I am now starting to panic of whether I can keep them all safe - any tips would be appreciated. The house is also a tip because I have been so tired and busy lately

I will probably be fine and just worrying because so tired but any advise or tips would be welcome - I do appreciate the ones in toddler and preschool just want to get as many as possible.

P.S. - unfortunately don't have a car so not an option :(
Oh yea with house being a tip should I just let them play with anything and blitz it when gone or tidy up and limit the things they play with?

Set the rules beforehand. Stop to talk to all the girls, and don't single out the 'problem' child. Stoop down when you are doing this so you're at eye level; kids respond much better when an adult doesn't seem so large and intimidating. They listen much better, too.

Explain that you have a long walk, and crossing streets can be very dangerous. Emphasize that you'll all be holding hands each time you cross the street (be sure to make sure you're holding the runaway's hand). Let them know that there will be consequences if anyone misbehaves, and that they'll lose their playing priveleges when they get to your house. Let them know they can have fun- playing Eye Spy and things of that nature, and be careful at the same time.

Kids are less likely to misbehave if they know the rules beforehand, and understand the consequences of their actions. Keep it simple and easy to understand- a lengthy, detailed speech will only bore them and they'll tune you out.

If you are very concerned, I'd suggest getting a long rope and tying four knots in it, at even intervals. Have each girl hold onto one of the knots while you are walking, and make a game out of it- anyone who lets go is a rotten egg, for example. That way, it will be fun for her to stay with the group.

Kids act much differently when they're away from their parents. You might be pleasantly suprised at her good behavior, but be prepared either way.

As for the playdate, I would let them play as they pleased, but allow for clean-up time i one room before moving to the next. If they are done with a boardgame, have them put it back in the box before moving onto Barbies, and so forth. Otherwise, they'll dump out every toy and game they can, and complain they're bored within 15 minutes.

Hope this helped a bit; have fun!

2008-03-06 14:46:43 by essentiallyprincess

Lady was very excited to add things to her bag. ♥ my daily vlogs! www.youtube.com ♥ twitter.com ♥ dailybooth.com FTC Disclaimer: Lady Xeona has no ...

When my toddler has swim class or school swim time I need a bag that holds his wet suit and towel. Any parent out there find the perfect bag that doesn't soak through? thanks for any ideas.

I use a large zip lock bag. Just make sure to take it out to dry as soon as you get home or it will start to get musty.

Hope this helps

p.s. I also have a large zip lock bag with extra clothes in the diaper bag...I use them for everything...at least you can see what's in them right away!

2007-07-09 11:38:02 by lil pumpkin

Toddler Size.
Adjustable backpack straps.
Made of durable canvas material.

im searching for an ELMO backpack. maybe even a bag.

i want one sorta like this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/SESAME-ELMO-BACK-PAC K-Kids-Luggage-BACKPACK-Free-Ship_W0QQit emZ200282917334QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLuggag e?hash=item200282917334&_trksid=p328 6.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A 2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301% 3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50


or

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Sesame-Street-El mo-toddler-school-kids-BACKPACK-bag_W0QQ itemZ260328345698QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item260328345698& ;_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3 A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240% 3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

oh yeah i dont use ebay so thats why im not ordering them from there.... please give me a SAFE place i can order online from or a store i can have easy access too.

Try Walmart, Target, JC Penny or Sears

2008-12-06 21:15:04 by x3333

Price: $14.00 $13.00

Large main compartment big enough for sandwich, apple and juice box and Interior mesh pocket for utensils, lunch money and more
Adorable zoo face with crafted details and fun matching zipper-pulls
PVC-free and complies with California's Prop 65 for safe food storage

This is what I will pack for my 3.4 year old's lunch at school for today;

Peas, and rice, Juice, 1 Cup of Dole Mixed Fruit, and 1 yogurt.

How does this lunch sound? Does it sound filling?

By the way she does not eat meat.

My son goes to kindergarten 2 days a week and they must think I am so unimaginative because I always have to put the same food in.
He has a ham,avacado and tomato sandwich, a bag of pop corn, an apple, and dried paw paw, mango and pineapple mix. It is a dairy free kindy because one boy is anafalatic to dairy.
Sounds good what you are packing, I would maybe add a packet of pop corn too.
My youngest wont eat meat either so I dont know what I will do when he starts!! lol

2008-08-11 03:48:50 by mamaisland

Parents in my kid's public school need their kids picked up from school and dropped off at home(s) within 1.5 miles of school. I was not so keen, but I'm pretty much the only SAHM in the area with a minivan and no baby/toddler, so I agreed. I have come up with some rules.
What do you think of them:
1. No food or drink in the van. Backpacks,lunch bags in the trunk.
2. Seat belts are always on when car is moving. No feet on seat/backs.
3. I will wait up to 10 min, then I will leave the pickup area. Kid can go to the office and call my cell ph. I might be able to go back after dropping off other kids, but cannot promise.
4. If kid is not in school on a day, parent SHOULD let me know in advance, so I don't wait there for ever.
5. I will drop off kid only if an adult or older sibling is at home and comes to the door.
6. Payment is due at the beginning of the month. If kid misses more than 3 days due to sickness, I will refund you the $.
7. If you are on vacation, pay to hold the spot. ( high demand for this service!)
8. If kid forgets something and is alread at the pickup area, it has to come home the next day. (like with a school bus!)
9. Including my kid, there will be 5 kids. I cannot help them carry stuff, they shoudl carry their belongings themselves to the van.
10. In the parking lot & walking to the car: kids HAVE to walk with me, and not run. Parents need to emphasize this to their kids.
11. If I'm sick, my husband will pickup. If my kid is sick, I will try to give as much notice as possible.
12. I don't charge for school breaks longer than 2 days.(mothly rate reflects that).
13. No kids allowed in the front passenger seat.

These will be boys and girls in grades 2nd thru 4th.
My husband thinks I'm being too detailed and even picky in stating these rules.

Do you think I am being too picky or just making things clear ahead to parents & kids?
Any rules to remove/rephrase?
Any other rules to add?
Thanks for the responses.

The ride home takes a maximum of 10 min. Kids can survive without food & drink,no?
A daycare center nearby will be officially hiring me as a driver, and I will be paying for additional insurance etc.
Am trying to keep the payment as uniform and simple as possible. So, am not charging only for long breaks. To put it in perspective: I am charging $5 per ride. Local kids cab would charge $15, and only if there are atleast 10 kids needing rides.
Kids running in the parking lot: Parents in our school just don't follow rules, drive too fast, make left turn where not allowed,double park...So, I need kids to stay with me & walk/ not run.

I think these are terrific rules. I don't think it is up to you to find out if a parent or older sibling is home before dropping off though. As long as they can get in the house it should be fine. It will really take too much time to make a parent or sibling wave to you or the kid come back out to tell you their elder is there.

Plus fourth graders and some third graders can handle staying alone for a few minutes if their sibling or parent had to go somewhere and is not back yet. So I would drop all of that. It seems excessive to require that you be assured someone is home because the parent or sibling could be on the phone, doing laundry, in the back yard -- and it is none of your business if they are home yet or not. If they plan to be home after school they will be. But their child is their responsibility -- not yours.

Pay to hold the spot if they go on vacation? Are you serious? How long of a vacation would they go on during the school year anyway? Not more than a week missed of school. This is more of a taxi service than a daycare and I think you are being petty with that one.

If they forget something it needs to be REALLY important to them to go get it and they shouldn't make a habit of it but truly you do not need to be a hardass about it. Wow.

You can't help them carry stuff? Like their clay diorama of the Incas and Mayans? Again...I get your point that it cannot be every day but if a child asks you for help you should provide it.

Kids always run to the car. Elementary schools are full of PARENTS and school buses after school -- who are always careful and watching for kids. I challenge you to find a news story where a kid was hit by a car in the school parking lot going out to his ride's car. It just doesn't happen. If on the remotest of chances some crazy lunatic decides to drag race through the lot after school there is nothing you could do anyway at that high speed. You are being really paranoid. Lighten up.

If you're sick your husband will pick up. If your kid is sick why can't your husband pick up then, too, or come home early so you can? He can get off if you're sick -- why not if your kid is sick, too?

No kids in the front seat -- of course not if it is not legal for them. If your kid is a fourth grader and tall enough perhaps he or she gets the front seat? This one actually would be nice if the parents talk to their kid about it in advance so you don't get any lip or whining about it.

If the parents are paying you, you should go back for a kid you left without. However, you should inform the parent when you did so and tell them personally that it should not become a habit.

Legally of course you cannot charge more than reimbursement for gas without a CDL and additional insurance for paid transport so that should cut down on a lot of your issues with payment etc.

2008-08-04 19:30:32 by BrenLeo