Tips for Easing into the New School Year
It's that time of year again. The 4th of July has passed and the new school year is quickly approaching. Let's all be honest, adjusting back to the school routine can be a NIGHTMARE! Once again it's back to early mornings and late, exhausting afternoons. Back to homework, sports practices, packing lunches, and yadi-yada. So, how do we set our kids (and ourselves) up for a successful transition back into the school year? Here are some tips:
1. Somewhere around early to mid-July, go ahead and resume their "school night" bedtime. Allowing everyone a few weeks to adjust back to the norm will set the stage for success. This may seem excessive, but it can take the body weeks to fully adjust to a new routine.
2. While we're on the subject of routines, try to start waking them up progressively earlier each day, too. Again, this will make life so much easier when the day comes that they actually have to be up at the crack of dawn. Once they start going to bed earlier, you should notice that they naturally start waking up earlier anyways.
3. Get their supplies sooner than later. Save yourself the headache of standing in the middle of Target scavenging for the "Ticonderoga #2 Pencils" and "12 pack of Glue sticks." Do not procrastinate on this- just don't.
4. If your child takes psychotropic medications (ie. medications for ADHD or Anxiety), be sure to consult with their prescriber weeks before the beginning of school (starting to see any pattern here?) to make sure their dosing doesn't need any adjusting for the classroom setting. Of course, if they have a therapist, ask what you can do to help them with this transition.
5. Speaking of mental health, watch for signs of anxiety or depression. For many kids, school can bring about many big emotions which they may not know how to put into words. In the weeks prior to school starting, behaviors to watch for may include: mood changes, persistent negative attitude towards school, withdrawing from social activities, upset stomach, headaches,or lowered self-esteem.
6. LISTEN UP- this one is important. Model a feeling of excitement! If you're moping around or griping about school starting, your negative attitude will be contagious. You don't want to send the message to your child that school is an inconvenience, unimportant, or something to dread. Ask them what they need to feel confident and their best self, and talk them through any of their anxieties.
Elementary Parents try this: Similar to the build up to Christmas Day, do 25 days of Back to School. You could incorporate related crafts, decorate the house with school-themed decor, reminisce on last year's memories by making a scrapbook or a slideshow, go back-to-school shopping, watch movies with a classroom theme, etc.
7. If you're anticipating a busy after school schedule, go ahead and start pre-planning. What will you eat on Tuesdays, when little Susie has soccer and little jack has taekwondo, and time is extremely limited. Fast food can get pricey and is generally unhealthy.
8. If your child requires an IEP or behavior plan, go ahead and request an S-team meeting with the school to set your child up for a successful school year with the accommodations which are needed.
Okay, those are the ones that I can think of! I would love to hear what your back to school rituals are! Feel free to leave a comment.
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