This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
I’m a member of Master Lock’s Live Secure Safety Squad and have been compensated for my time in writing this post.
It’s almost time for getting kids back to school. Depending on where you live, you might be deep in back-to-school preparations, or you might even have another month of summer.
Here in BC, Canada, our kids don’t go back to school until September! But it seems most of my American friends have their kids well into their school routines in early August.
I think the Back-to-School season can be a little stressful for both parents and kids… at least it is for me.
One thing that’s a little too important to me is that I get good “First Day of School” photos. It’s kinda funny how now with blogging and social media, photos of kids’ first day of school each year have become such a big deal. I’m pretty sure as a child, I never once had a photo taken of me on my first day of school… in any year!
Since it has become so important for me to get a good shot of my girls headed off to school, I try to plan ahead what type of shot I’m going to take and if they’re going to hold signs up saying what grade they’re going into.
Here are a couple of last year’s shots of my girls with Janice’s kids…
Keeping Kids and Their Belongings Safe at School
When we send our kids off to a new school – especially in the transition to middle school, junior high or high school – it can be a little scary for both kids and parents.
We want to make sure our kids are safe and that their belongings such as laptops and smart phones don’t get stolen.
I think it’s important to set up guidelines and rules with our children to help keep them safe and to revaluate and adjust as they get older. Working together with your kids to establish the rules will help. For instance, you may establish rules for where your child is allowed to play after school and that would change as he/she ages.
Rules for using technology and bringing tech devices to school should also be discussed. For instance, at a certain age it may become necessary for your child to bring a laptop, tablet or smart phone to school. You will then want to discuss how that technology will be used and where it will be securely stored.
You want to teach your child that while sharing in general is a nice thing to do, he/she should NEVER share her smartphone, tablet or laptop with other kids. It’s not because you don’t want them to be nice to their friends, but because once someone is logged on to their device, they have access to their private information, WIFI access and other secure information and their email as well as other social accounts.
One of their friends could do something like a “prank” and send out an inappropriate message or do something much worse.
So any tech devices should be used only by your child and when not used, safely locked in his/her locker.
And you’ll want to get your child a good lock to secure his/her school locker.
Set-Your-Own Combination Padlocks
MasterLock Set-Your-Own Combination Locks No. 1535DWD are an affordable, simple way to give you peace of mind that your child’s belongings are safe at school.
Product Features:
- Create personalized combinations using memorable words
- Easy to set & reset with a coin on bottom of lock
- 1-1/2″ (40mm) wide metal body for superior strength
- Dial grip points for accurate dialing
- Slim footprint & ergonomic design for ease of use
- Hardened steel shackle for extra cut resistance
- Each package contains one lock
Keep the Safety Discussion Going
Remind your child to never tell the locker combination to any friends. If a friend does find out the combination, simply change to a new combination.
Communicating with your kids about physical and digital safety is a continual process.
Check out my earlier post and video about Teaching Kids Security in the Digital Age.
Master Lock Photo Hunt Challenge
Now through September 7th, visit www.MasterLockPhotoHunt.com for the chance to win great prizes. Participants will be shown two similar back-to-school images. Simply find and click on the five differences in the photos before time runs out. Finding all differences will unlock the next photo board with the potential to earn up to two sweepstakes entries for each play.
In addition, by sharing the Master Lock Photo Hunt Challenge on Twitter, entrants are able to earn an additional entry per day. One lucky grand prize winner will win a Samsung Smart Media Center Package that includes a 60” HD 1080p Smart LED HDTV. There are 65 total chances to win, which includes 1 grand prize, 8 weekly prizes, and 56 daily instant win prizes. Additional prize information and official rules can be found on www.MasterLockPhotoHunt.com
Master Lock Twitter Party Back to School Twitter Party
The Master Lock Twitter Party will take place on August 5th and will be hosted by Resourceful Mommy. Participants will have the chance to win both Master Lock and other back-to-school prizes.
More Back-To-School Posts
The rest of the #LSSS crew are blogging about back-to-school as well. Find their posts at:
- Nicoles Nickel’s
- Susan Heim on Parenting
- Mocha Dad
- Mommy Kat and Kids
- Tech Savvy Mama
- Leslie Loves Veggies
- Three Different Directions
For More About Keeping Your Family Secure
Find more resources and ideas on our Safety Tips – Protecting All You Love Pinterest Board.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at http://pinterest.com/5minutesformom/
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s riches says
What a good idea for a padlock. With these you cannot forget the combination.
Buddy Garrett says
I enjoy reading these great posts on going back to school. The ideas are great and very helpful.
Sarah L says
Locks have gone high tech since I was in school.
Thomas Murphy says
I def. have to get my kids there own MasterLock Set-Your-Own Combination Locks.
Terry says
treasure those memories they go so fast!!!
CharityS says
My son really loves Master Lock.
RICHARD+HICKS says
The photos are a great idea. Wish I had some of myself way back!
Michelle S says
I definitely think there is a need to keep your child’s stuff safe at school. They might think it overboard, but you sadly can never be too careful. I think although first day of school is trending, I’m sure when your child is older they’ll be happy you took the time to save that memory for them.
Smaug says
So cute! Those are some good locks for school lockers.
Jill Myrick says
My children love going back to school and seein their friends after a long summer vacation. I have always made first day back pictures and use them to make a collage for each school year.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Amanda Sakovitz says
I am loving the locks!
K. Finn says
I played the MasterLock Photo Hunt game. I had some trouble getting my clicks to take, so I guess someone else will be the winner. But it’s nice to try, and thank you also for your contests. 🙂
Della Barker says
It’s a great reminder to talk to your children about passwords and safety. Setting your code is great!
Lauren U says
Love the back to school photo. Great idea for when my kid is ready to start school.
elizabeth miller says
Set your own codes are great. It makes it so much easier for smaller children to remember.
Amber says
this is a very neat idea!
Anita L says
Thank you for sharing your back to school photo’s! The children look very happy to be starting another year. 🙂
Dana Rodriguez says
Masterlock is great.I have been using their products as long as I can remember.
Shayna Brookman says
My kids don’t go to school yet, however, this is great advice for when they are older 🙂
David Fultner says
Oh my kids were so cute this year.
katklaw777 says
First day of school photos are so good to have…I always took ours near the same tree to see the growth of both.
Lisa Marz says
The locks are a good idea.
Rebecca D says
I’ve never seen those locks before, but they look really easy for kids to use.
Carolann Leibenguth says
I love the back to school picture. Discussing internet safety and safety in general is so important now a days. We do so much online that a simple mistake can affect a whole family for a long time.
Tricia Nightowlmama says
I love personal home photos way more than school photos. Personalizing the first day to save memories for them as they get older will be so precious.
Benita says
Your photos are beautiful; you have a beautiful family. The locks you write about seem very helpful to secure children’s belongings. Certainly securing one’s belongings is extremely important keeping in mind the value both monetary and personal.
Mia Dentice Carey says
I really don’t think any schools around here have lockers any more =/
Barbara Platt says
they all look so cute
Shawna O says
Love your kids back-to-school pictures. Sent my oldest to Middle school today and he’s going to need a MasterLock Set-Your-Own Combination Lock this year.
Jessica Medina says
We homeschool, but we did back to school photos too!
Caitlin McClure says
I love the look of those Set-Your-Own Combination Padlocks
Birdiebee says
I love Masterlock products and need to purchase on of the Set-Your-Own Combination Padlocks.
Angela Saver says
I love the cute idea for signs in the first day of school pictures! I’ll be using that in the future!
Cheyenne says
Those are so cute
Heather Hayes Panjon says
Love The First Day Of School Signs!
DEBIJOT says
Master Lock is on our back to school list every year.
Marlena U. says
Back to school photos are a must! I love driving my daughter to school and seeing all the other families out on their front porch/yards taking pictures! I also take a video the day before school to record all of my daughter’s favorite things. Love seeing her grow each year!
Linda Bradshaw says
Cute pictures! I love the new locks. I would prefer those for the kids instead of the other types.
Claudia M says
great tips ! I never knew about the Word MasterLock …too neat !
Helga says
I like the idea of photos. These are great tips since it can be such a stressful day.
CR Williams says
Back to school shopping is so expensive.
Betsy Barnes says
Love your photos, so adorable! This is a great post to remind parents to make sure their children’s belongings are safe using Master Lock!
mrsshukra says
First day of school photos are so special!
BusyWorkingMama says
Adorable photos! My daughter would only let me take one this morning and it turned out a bit blurry! Boo!
Christina G. says
I’ve got pictures of my daughter’s kindergarten and first grade first days, but I don’t know what happened after that, LOL. Thanks for sharing!
anne hill says
i love these locks andi think your BTS pic is very clever. i will try this idea
Cynthia C says
The signs are so cute and help date the pictures for later when it’s hard to remember.
Amy Orvin says
I love the cute signs. What an interesting idea!
Ru says
I do something very similar!
Dandi D says
Those are some adorable pictures! What a great group of kids!
Sonya Morris says
Set your own combination? Change it later? Genius! My locker was stacked (where your “friend” places your books to fall out when you open your locker) so many times in high school that I was constantly late for classes!
Tammy S says
I think it’s important to get a good back to school picture also. We have had the talk about keeping your things and self safe.
Keisha C. says
Enjoyed this post. First day pictures are a big thing at my home too!
Forgetfulone says
Those are great locks! And cute, too. On the picture, why isn’t the boy holding a sign saying his grade? That would have made the pictures even more perfect.
Nicole Dz says
Create way to use these chalkboards to create some awesome back to school photos, love this idea! Going to use this!
Meagan bs says
we are going to try the chalkboard back to school photo this year
justin tan says
Love the lock. so cool. wish i had it when I was in school last time. i’d love to join the twitter party and the photo hunt too. sounds fun!
vickie couturier says
I like the pictures too,this summer seemed to have flown by,,and the locks are so bright and colorful
Dee says
My nieces are in school and I never really thought to tell their parents about keeping possessions safe. Usually they just have simple school supplies and their little bookbags with them but this masterlock info is helpful!
Jeanna says
Back to school is stressful for me also at first! Love the signs the kids are holding in the pictures! I’ll have to add that to my list!
Karen Glatt says
I like the signs in your picture. I make sure that I keep my nephews stuff protected by using a good lock like masterlock. The phone, and laptop are to valuable to lose and this lock keeps his stuff safe.
Kathy Stevenson says
I love the signs in the pictures!
Lisa Brown says
i like back to school pictures
Janet W. says
We will definitely be taking back to school photos of my grandsons! I love the colors of those locks!
Rebecca Parsons says
I love these new locks and master lock is the best there is for protection of their belongings.
Cheryl Free says
Master Lock is a classic. I used them when I was in school. The photo hunt is fun too 🙂
Lauren says
My kids are transitioning to middle school this year and will be bringing smartphones with them. Hopefully, they won’t lost their new phones!