Back-To-School Preparation
Does it feel like summer is going by too quickly? As we turn the calendar into August, the carefree days filled with vacations, outdoor fun, and less restricted routines begin to turn into more rigid schedules. So, how do we prepare ourselves for this inevitable change? Well, it may not be that difficult for adults to adjust to. But, how about our kids? I bet you can already hear the negative comments and watch as many eye rolls come your way. Therefore, it is helpful to slowly ease your child or teen into a more structured back-to-school routine. This slow progression of change often helps youth to adjust to the demands of fall schedules. How do we accomplish this goal without taking away the joys of their last bits of summer? Here are a few tips to help support a smooth transition from summer to fall schedules:
Sleep is Not Overrated! Often during summer, we allow our children and teens to overlook strict bedtimes by staying up late, having many sleepovers, or napping during the day. All of which are great when done in moderation. However, it is important to slowly pull back from allowing this early in August and setting stricter bedtime routines. In fact, it is a good idea to set boundaries such as allowing sleepovers only on weekends, no napping during the day, avoiding screen time while in bed, and lights out by a specific time. Reinstituting a bedtime routine is crucial to resetting inner our inner clocks and promoting well-rested kids.
Morning Routines are Key. Most of us would agree that what happens during the morning sets the stage for the rest of our day, right? So, why not begin to create an established morning routine that will also be helpful when school starts? Set your alarm clock and get kids used to waking up at certain times. This will also support earlier bedtimes as well. Encourage your kids and teens to have a morning routine upon waking that is more structured and time-focused. Doing so will help ease the transition to hectic back-to-school mornings when time is not on your side.
Make Back-To-School Shopping Fun! Nothing reminds kids more about the end of summer than back-to-school shopping. So, why not make it fun? This may be a suitable time to reorganize drawers and closets. Let your kids know that you are making room for new clothes. If you have a teen, invite a friend along to shop for new clothes and supplies. It can make the event seem more fun and get them excited to start a new school year. For our younger kids, allow them to pick out a few things that they like and encourage play dates with school friends prior to school beginning.
Summer Reading List Time! If you are like most parents, you have put off arguing with your child to complete their summer reading assignments. However, this month is a good time to set the precedent that school is quickly approaching, and their teachers will be expecting these assignments. However, tackle this task slowly by requesting a specific number of pages a night and setting deadlines. This will encourage your child to get back into work mode. If necessary, attach rewards to finished assignments.
Increase Responsibilities. It may also be a suitable time to assign additional responsibilities to your child or teen. Doing so allows them to understand that they have achieved another grade level of development and have grown up enough to manage higher expectations. It also helps boost self-esteem and independence. For example, telling your tween that they now must empty the dishwasher every day because they are going into middle school promotes an understanding of trust and maturity.
As you can see, preparing your child or teen to go back to school is never an easy feat. However, with the right amount of proactivity and patience, you can make the transition much more accepting for them. The time will fly by either way, so you might as well use it wisely! Yet don’t allow summer to slip away amongst all the back-to-school prep without savoring the time. Go on that last-minute getaway or day to the beach - just make sure to sprinkle the rest of the month with routines and reality checks!
Author: Vanessa LaBruzza, LAC