Surviving Back To School Season

The lazy days of summer are quickly coming to an end. If you have kids in school that can mean busy schedules that create stress and a sense of overwhelming. The holidays aren’t far behind which can add another level of stress to an already chaotic time. It is possible to survive the back to school season with a little planning and a commitment to self preservation. Follow these tips to reduce your stress while getting the kids back to school.

Prepare

You can’t prepare for everything that comes along but you can prepare for what you know will happen. Make lunches the night before. If your kids are older have them pack their lunch the night before. This helps instill responsibility and they get what they want for lunch – within reason of course. If your children get hot lunch make sure they have enough money in their account so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Lay out clothes the night before and make sure the backpack is packed and ready to grab after a quick breakfast. Set the kids’ alarm for 10 minutes early to ensure everyone is on time.

Breakfast

It’s the most important meal of the day and most older kids skip it because they are already running late and don’t want to miss the bus. Have healthy grab and go items available such as hard boiled eggs, apple slices and granola bars prepacked so they can grab them as they head out the door. Smoothies are also handy and healthy but may leave your child hungry sooner than a more traditional meal.

Homework

Most kids have too much homework and for many parents homework is the biggest source of stress at night. Set aside time for the child to work on homework with as few distractions as possible. This is difficult because so many families also have after school activities. It’s best to do the homework in a quiet place free from TV, radio and technology like iPads and iPods. If you have trouble helping your child with homework for whatever reason, consider an after school homework helper such as Huntington or Sylvan. These services may cost a bit more but they will save you all kinds of aggravation and you know your child will be getting the help they need that you may be unable to provide.

Bedtime

For younger children you set the bedtime. Be consistent about getting them to bed at the same time every night. Create a bedtime ritual that involves a bath, story and snuggles for a few minutes before letting them fall asleep on their own. Older children need plenty of sleep too but will have a later bedtime that can sometimes be disrupted by school activities, homework and social life. It’s more difficult to find a balance here but it’s important to keep a schedule as much as possible. Have your teen turn off the TV or computer at least a half hour before bedtime so they can fall asleep more rapidly. Refrain from caffeine for several hours before bedtime. See this article by the National Sleep Foundation to learn more about children and the sleep they need.

Relax

School is a hectic time and getting back into the swing of it after a more laid back summer can be stressful. Remind yourself that you won’t be able to do it all and that’s okay. It’s wonderful to go to all your children’s plays, science fairs, sports, recitals and other activities but it isn’t always possible. Find out which events are most important and do your best to attend them, but explain to your child that you can’t make them all. Invite a grandparent or aunt or uncle to attend in your stead if possible.