Back To School Tips For Parents

Back to School

Here’s First News’ handy guide to helping you get ahead this school year.

- Re-establish a morning routine.

While you can relax the schedule a little, encourage a morning routine towards the end of summer. Encourage your kids to wake up no later than a certain time and try and do something healthy and productive for the first 30 minutes of their day, like reading, or catching up on the news.

- Set up a breakfast station

Make breakfast as stress-free as possible by getting all the food/drinks you need out and putting them in a certain area in your kitchen or dining room for your kids to access easily. Choose healthy, simple options that will set them up for the day.

 Slide into a bedtime routine

Bedtimes often slip thanks to the long summer nights. This can be a hurdle when it comes to suddenly re-establishing back to school bedtimes. Introduce the process gradually by serving dinner earlier and altering evening activities to create a calmer atmosphere, such as sitting down to read or draw. Put regular bath times back on the schedule too.

- Get used to doing things the night before

l To ease pressure on busy mornings, prepare things ahead of time. You could:

l Lay out clothes for the next day

l Empty school bag from the day before and repack

l Prepare book bag

l Put bags by the door or in designated ‘ready to go’ area

 - Organize your own schedule

Get yourself back into the flow of things – set goals and get organized. Check your kids have got all the uniform/school supplies they need, and ask if you need to organize any after-school care or clubs, or if there are any extra-curricular activities you need to sign up for this year? Remember to pop time in the diary for yourself too!

- Discuss the first day back

Open space for conversation – this is especially good if your kids suffer from anxiety or are about to start a new school. Going back to school can be overwhelming and scary for some, especially if there are lots of changes. The idea of taking on harder work may also feel like a lot to some children. Speak and listen honestly and openly with them about the first day back and the coming term. Try to reframe anxiety into excitement by discussing the more enjoyable events, such as giving friends holiday souvenirs or learning new subjects.

If your child is nervous about friendships, you could always organize playdates to re-establish those social connections.

- Set up a family calendar

Get everyone on the same page with a family calendar, either a physical one or a digital one. That way you can keep track of homework schedules, extra-curricular activities, weekend activities, date nights, childcare etc.