That is a photo of my oldest daughter. Even at the tender age of five, she is growing up to be smart and confident young lady. It’s hard to accept the fact that she is starting Kindergarten in weeks. As a family, we are starting this school year with a fresh energy and anxious enthusiasm that will make this a fun and memorable school year for everyone.

My wife and I have been constantly communicating and texting throughout the day in order to make this upcoming school year as smooth and organized as possible. We’ve set up extra carpools for extracurricular activities, have multiple emergency babysitters in place, upcoming family vacations planned around the school calendar, and a stockpile of school supplies and lunch box snacks.

My wife has even created an expansive Pinterest page entitled “Back To School”. Her inexorable rate of pinning and the flurry of text messages to me about the item she JUST pinned requires a good data plan. Using cell phones to stay connected are simply a part of today’s life, but an expensive wireless plan is one less item parents and families need to worry about.

That’s why I’m considering Straight Talk Wireless. It is the leading no-contract wireless carrier, offering customers the best phones on the best networks for less.

Just in time for back-to-school, Straight Talk Wireless has added more high-speed data to its best phone plans. You can now get more high-speed data for the same low price with the latest smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S8.

Get unlimited talk, text and the first 8GB of high-speed data then 2G* for $45. Or bump it to 12GB of high speed data then 2G* for $55. That’s a much better deal than my current phone contract.

As a former educator, one big contributor to student success during a school year is the partnership that is formed between parents and teachers. By working together, we are able to collectively invest in a child’s capacity to grow, prosper, and thrive in a supportive environment.

Below are a few tips that will help managing busy schedules and staying connected during the school year:

Communicate with the Teacher

There will be open houses, orientations, and multiple meet-and-greet options at the beginning of the school year. All of these opportunities are great, but none will give you a real chance to spend time getting to know your child’s teacher. Make it priority to find a few minutes after the first day school to connect one-on-one with the teacher. If time does not permit a face to face, send an introductory email that includes how you can help during the school year, however big or small. Having an open line of communication make it easier to talk about your children’s strengths, vulnerabilities, and needs.

Communicate with Your Child

It is also important to talk to your child about their feelings. The start of school is exciting, but can also bring some anxiety—especially when it comes to the unknown. Take a few minutes to ask your kids what they are most looking forward to during the school year, and what things may be worrying them. By giving them a forum to express their concerns, you can help them work through any worries in advance of school starting and clear up any issues that could lead to a bumpy start.

Prepare for the Unexpected

I serve as an Emergency Manager for a city and my wife is a Project Manager for a large IT company. In our jobs and in life like to plan for the unexpected and know the value of constant communication for the best (but not always a perfect) outcome. Entering the school year, we know that at some point, we will encounter an obstacle that will threaten our expertly planned schedule.  And when it comes, we will be ready and will overcome it! As I always say, if you stay flexible, you won’t get bent out of shape!

One thing that shouldn’t be unexpected is the amount you pay on your wireless bill. If you’re like me and notice that your wireless phone bill is steadily creeping higher with each passing month, it might be time to give Straight Talk Wireless a closer look. With Straight Talk, there are no contracts, no credit checks and no mystery fees. With unlimited plans at $45 and $55, you can save on your monthly phone bill and great deals on the best phones.

Just in time for school, Straight Talk Wireless has added more high-speed data to its best phone plans. Get unlimited talk, text and the first 8GB of high-speed data then 2G* for $45. Or bump it to 12GB of high speed data then 2G* for $55.

You can choose from the latest phones on the best networks, all for less – including the Samsung Galaxy S8. Straight Talk phones and service plans are available exclusively at Walmart stores and online at StraightTalk.com. For more information and ways to save, visit StraightTalk.com today!

Here’s to a school year filled with fun and great communication!

I have partnered with Life of Dad and Straight Talk Wireless for this promotion.

*At 2G speeds, the functionality of some data applications, such as streaming audio or video may be affected. Please refer always to the latest Terms and Conditions of Service at StraightTalk.com.