With another school year on the horizon, parents and kiddos alike are preparing for some major transitions. For parents, this can be an especially stressful time trying to juggle new schedules, school supply lists, transportation needs, and a plethora of other back-to-school activities and appointments. Here are a few tips for making the transition out of summer vacation as seamless and stress-free as possible:
Practice Routines
One of the major challenges for kids adjusting to daycare or school schedules after summer vacation is the routine change, and one of the best ways to prepare for this change is to practice new routines well in advance! Having your little one practice getting up and going to bed at the same time each day, eating lunch or snacks on a specific timeline, or even having set outside play times helps your child get used to their new fall schedules before summer even ends!
Make a To-Do List
Thinking about the dozens of tasks you likely have to complete to prepare your family for the new school year can seem overwhelming at first, but getting everything out on paper can help you better organize your thoughts! Splitting up responsibilities in order of urgency can also help prioritize things during the final weeks of summer. For example, school shopping likely should be done several weeks in advance, while grocery shopping for school snacks/food can be completed later. Organizing a list helps keep your thoughts in order and you on track to get done what you need to promptly!
Prioritize Communication
While back-to-school prep can be challenging, your little one may be experiencing anxiety or stress of their own, and keeping lines of communication open helps put the whole family at ease. Consider asking your child if there’s anything they’re nervous about before going back to school/daycare, what their goals are for the incoming year, or if there’s anything specific they’d like to work on this year. These honest conversations help to ease anxiety while also building confidence for the new year.
Menu Planning
Planning meals during the school year can be a complete change from summer meal-planning, and having to account for packed lunches or snacks can be a hassle at first! Planning out a menu well in advance can keep some of this stress at bay. Sitting down with your child to chat about different meals they like (and won’t throw away!) also helps to give you an idea of a couple of favorites to rotate through during the school year while also giving your little one some healthy autonomy and ownership.
Change is hard, but it doesn’t have to be harder than it needs to be! With proper planning, practice, and communication, families can face the incoming school year with confidence and excitement rather than stress and anxiety.