Back to School: Must-Have Accessories for Tweens

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Ready to send your tween off for another school year? Wait! Before you do that, make sure your tween has all the necessities. School supplies are far from the only thing your tween needs. There are some must-have items you may not think about. Even if you consider the item, you may not realize just how important certain aspects of it may be. As a veteran mom, here are some of the must-have accessories I recommend for tweens.

A backpack that fits right makes all the difference. You likely already know your tween needs a backpack. But did you know that fit is important? If your tween is walking around with a backpack that does not fit right or is too bulky, it can cause serious strain on the back. The straps should not be too loose and your tween should not have the backpack hanging too low. Straps should be snug, but not too tight. Did you know that backpacks are actually sized for certain age and weight ranges? Be sure you are choosing the correct one. While the latest character backpack may be appealing, if it isn't the right fit, you are not doing your child a favor by purchasing it.

Journaling helps your tween remember assignments and get down feelings. A journal can be a great way for your tween to write down thoughts during break times. This can help relieve any stress or get out any other emotions so they don't build up during school. It can also double as a way to keep track of certain assignments. Doubling it as a place to hold assignments helps prevent others from trying to read your tween's other thoughts. Decorative notebooks are great for this purpose, as you don't want the look to be obviously diary-like.

Every tween needs a cell phone. I realize that some parents will cringe at me saying this. However, the world is much different than it was when we were kids. Having a cell phone helps keep your tween safe. Be sure that rules are set to only use it during certain times and to keep it put away safely at other times. If your tween rides or walks home from school with someone other than you, a cell-phone can literally be a life-saver. While it may sound like giving in to a trend, the reasons a tween should own a cell phone are much more important than that. There are low-cost, pay-as-you-go plans, as well as unlimited plans to help avoid your tween from racking up unnecessary costs.

A safety ID helps protect your tween. All kids, especially tweens and teens, should have a safety ID. This is an ID card that features a current photo, fingerprints, and vital information about your tween. Many hospitals and other safety-geared organizations hold events where these can be obtained. If you cannot find one, check with your child's doctor to see if they know where to get one in your area. Generally, there will be a copy for the child, as well as a copy for the parent. This ID will be used to help find and identify your tween in the case of an emergency.

A small file folder helps keep things organized. Tired of trying to figure out whether your tween has any papers you need to sign or not? Is there homework? A special event coming up? Is your tween constantly losing assignments or not keeping them sorted by class? A small file folder can help keep up with all of this at once. Designate a section for each subject, as well as for parent papers. That way, your tween can stick each paper in the correct slot before bringing it home.

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Back to School: Must-Have Accessories for Teens
Back to Homeschool: Must-Have Accessories for Homeschoolers On-the-Go
Back to School: Laying Ground Behavioral Rules

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network:
http://web.archive.org/web/20140807061953/http://shine.yahoo.com/back-school-must-accessories-tweens-205700676.html

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