Back-to-school can be a very stressful time. There is shopping to do, schedules to keep, people to meet and appointments to make. Not to mention your child’s nerves about, or resistance to, the big day. Here are some tips that will better prepare both you and your children for the inevitable chaos – and beat the fall blues while you’re at it.
SAVE MONEY WITHOUT LOSING TIME
Look to apps such as “Savvy Shopper” to help you find the things you need, at a reasonable price, in reasonable time. Finding coupons and running store to store can be a real headache, but getting technology to get the work done for you is a major perk of today’s digital-age. Never underestimate the power of tech, it can really lighten the load so you have the time and energy to focus on your children’s back-to-school nerves!
VISIT THE SCHOOL TO GET YOUR KID FAMILIARIZED
Every child’s biggest fear is getting lost on the first day – especially for kids entering a new level or school. A great way to ease their concerns is to take them there ahead of time. Walk the halls and get familiar with the settings. This will help both of you feel more prepared for a big day. This is particularly useful if your child already has their schedule, as they can find their locker and test-run the room changes.
RE-ESTABLISH ROUTINE EARLY
This is a no-brainer. In the summer there are trips and special sleep-overs, and anything and everything else that gets in the way of keeping a routine. When the fall rolls around, kids struggle to settle into proper eat-times, and bed-times, etc. Starting this ahead of time will mean that by the time school starts, they will have normalized the routine. Of course, the struggle will still be there, but hopefully the worst of it will be over and done with.
GET YOUR KID EXCITED FOR SCHOOL
The younger, the scarier back-to-school can be. Look to books like The Berenstain Bears Go Back To School, or any others with school themes and settings. This will remind children that going to school is inevitable, but will also remind them that learning can be fun. Emphasize school days as mini adventures and point out that some of their favourite characters are school-kids as well.
PREPARE THE CALENDAR
Getting the children into routine is one thing, but parents need to settle into the new schedules as well. A helpful tip is to prepare the calendar as early as possible and hang it in a common area. That way, everyone in the house (including you) gets used to the idea that there are a million things to do, just around the corner! It will leave you feeling accomplished and ready.
START A NEW TRADITION
Someone in the house has the back-to-school blues? It could be a child, or a parent, or both. To beat the blues, create a new tradition that will begin when school does, and this will give everyone something exciting to look forward to. Be it picking out a gift for teacher, or something more regular like special Monday breakfasts – something that the family can do together.
