Back to pencils, back to books . . . we are getting closer to the day our students head back to class.
This means it’s time to start gearing up for the fall routine ― the back-to-school shopping for clothes and school supplies, getting used to a new sleeping schedule and trying to get a handle on those transportation issues.
Thankfully, we have some tips for you to help make the transition a bit easier.
Ease everyone into the fall routine
Think back to those first days of summer vacation. If you have teenagers, especially, you know that they went from waking to an alarm at the crack of dawn (at least to them) to snoozing half the day away without missing a beat.
Yanking them into the reality of fall isn’t easy. Ease them into it instead by starting the new schedule a week or two before school starts.
Set the alarm clock for the time they’ll need to rise to get to school on time and put them through the paces of a normal school morning with breakfast, making lunches and whatever else your family does to get ready for school in the morning.
Be extra attentive to the Kindergartener
I vividly recall my first day of Kindergarten. I remember feeling apprehensive, yet a little excited.
My father walked me to my classroom and then left. I followed him, screaming at the top of my lungs to him, begging him to not leave me there. I even recall reaching my pathetic little arms through a gate, coaxing him to come back for me.
For some kids, the very first day of school can be traumatic.
Easing them into what will become years of routine is important. A lot of their anxiety centers on the teacher and fellow students. So, meet this angst head-on by attending your school’s back-to-school night.
This way, your child can meet the teacher before classes start. And, there’s a good chance he or she will meet fellow students as well. When next they meet, during school hours, they’ll have a bit of recognition of one another, making it easier to break the ice.
Shopping Tips
Some shopping experts claim that parents should buy only enough clothes to last the first few weeks of the new school year. Why?
First, in around the middle of September, retailers hold sales. It’s the very best time to buy the bulk of your child’s school wardrobe.
Next, it will take your student a couple of weeks to determine the latest fashion and which items he or she wants to add to the wardrobe.
School supply shopping, on the other hand, has to be done before school starts. Many of our local schools post a supplies list on their websites which you can print off and take with you when you shop.
Take your child with you on the shopping trip. Not only will the trip result in buying what the child needs and wants, but it helps the little ones build excitement when you point out how each item will be used at school.
If you can’t afford the required supplies, contact the Kids in Need Foundation, a nationwide program that helps parents get what their kids need. Check the list of resources to find one near you.
If there isn’t a resource center in your area, contact the school’s or district’s social worker.
Getting back to school is a tough transition for both kids and parents but getting off to a strong start is critical to your child’s success. With your planning and support, your children will thrive during the school year.
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