Relationship

7 ways to survive the beginning of the school year

It happens every year. Just when he’s used to summer lazy days, he’s surprised to find Back to School catalogs in his mailbox and bikinis for sale in favor of turtlenecks. Your local store has dedicated an entire aisle to pencils, notebooks, and lunch bags. Soon there will be no more long days at the beach, movie nights with popcorn, or jittery-free mornings on the alarm clock. It’s enough to make you dread September, but it doesn’t have to be. With a slight change in attitude and a plan in place, September can be one of the best months of the year.

1. Practice
Don’t wait until Labor Day to prepare for the change to the school year. Start cutting back on bedtime during the last two weeks of August, around 8:30 to 9:00 pm for elementary school children.

2. Lower your expectations
Great transitions equate to disruption. Routines change and priorities change. Allow yourself extra leeway when it comes to chores and chores. Avoid scheduling appointments during the month after the start of the school year.

3. Save extra time
Clear the covers for additional responsibilities so you can make it through the transition with less stress. Don’t sign up for your usual extracurricular activities. Keep your family commitments to a minimum.

4. Motivate your children
Getting ready for school is not just a parent’s job. The students themselves have things to do to prepare. Make all back-to-school activities like shopping for school clothes a fun family event. Spend the first week of school settling in and having fun as a family. Plan pizza nights and ice cream socials. Schedule additional game nights and purchase a new puzzle.

5. Ask for help
Reduce your stress during this transition. Ask for help completing all back-to-school assignments. Hire a babysitter to watch your younger children while you take your older children shopping for school clothes. Ask grandparents to supervise the purchase of school supplies.

6. Set the tone
Set a positive tone for the new school year. If you are approaching September with the kind of dread often associated with prison terms, you can be sure that your children will not be too happy to go to school. On the other hand, if you show interest and enthusiasm for what’s ahead, your child will be eager to get started.

7. Focus
The beginning of a new school year is an important time for a child. The whole family must be interested and involved in the process. Express interest in the upcoming year, classes, and friends at school. Share your school memories. Celebrate this new beginning!

The beginning of a new school year can be an exciting time for a family. It’s a new beginning with new teachers and classmates, and maybe even a new school. Planning for the best start to the year shows your child how much you care. The more effort you put into it, the more rewards you and your child will reap.