Back to School: Tips and Tricks for a Smoother Transition

It’s official... summer has ended, and school has begun! After a long and refreshing summer, it can be difficult for students to get back into the groove of the school routine. Let’s face it, the summer is about staying up late and having fun! Not many kids want to go back to school to get up early and learn. This transition can come with a lot of pushback from your children, making it a stressful time for the whole family. Here’s the catch, it doesn’t have to be!

Establishing routine that involves staying organized for school can help reduce the anxiety that rushing out the door creates. A few tips and tricks to establish this type of routine would be preparing the night before, creating an area for school items (backpacks, shoes, coats), and setting up a “homework zone”.

Prepare

Preparing the night before may involve different tasks for every family. A few that are universal include laying out clothes for the next day, packing lunches, putting packed backpacks by the front door, showering the night before, etc. These small tasks ensure a smoother morning departure.

Designate

Creating designated spots for backpacks, shoes, coats, etc. allows your child to know exactly where their things are and reduce stress inducing clutter around the house. No more hearing, “Mom! Where’s my backpack?”, because they already know exactly where to look!

Organize

Setting up a clean, quiet, organized “homework zone “allows your child to count on having a reliable space to do their work. There is no time wasted trying to find a spot in the house to sit down and do homework when it’s already prepped and ready to go. Involve your child in decorating the space to reflect who they are. This will give the child a sense of ownership over the space. Encourage your child to keep this space tidy and maybe even add cleaning this space to the weekly chore list!

Support

The tasks above will not only help your child experience less stress surrounding school, but it will also give you the opportunity to spend quality time with your child while building routine. This bonding will encourage your child to lean on you and trust you as they get back into the school schedule. Just like anything else in life, it may take time for the routine to become well... routine! It is important to radiate positivity, encouragement, and support during this time to establish a positive association with creating routine. Going back to school can evoke feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and eventually burnout. While it’s not always avoidable, it is key to get ahead of these emotions by setting your child up for success with a consistent and positive routine they can count on.

Remember, you aren’t alone! Share your ideas with friends and be open to new ways to help your child get back on track for the new school year. It takes a village, and we all must stick together as we say goodbye to the summer breeze and hello to fresh starts, new routines, and exciting opportunities that the schoolyear might bring.