Does this sound familiar? You are only one week into the back to school regime and things have started to go a bit haywire. Lunches aren’t being eaten, books are missing, backpacks are starting to tear in all the wrong places. Homework has started to stream in, letters from teachers about school trips and functions and necessities are coming home and there is a pile of something at the bottom of your son’s backpacks that may or may not be alive.
How can we get our kids (and ourselves!) back into school mode now that holidays are over? Here are a few tips we’ve amassed over the years:
1. Prepare.
Before you throw the kids back to their teachers after a break, get everyone ready for the challenge. Talk to them about how school is starting again and about what is expected of them and figure out (together) if they are anxious or worried about anything at school.
2. Maintain a bedtime.
It might be too late for this one, but don’t veer from your normal schedule too much over the break. It’s tempting to let the babes stay up and sleep in while on vacation, but that makes it more difficult for them to go to bed early on the night before school starts—making it difficult for them to get up early the next morning.
At the very least, start easing them back into the new bedtime a week or a few days before school starts again. You’ll thank us next year for this tidbit, trust us.
3. Plan some fun.
The first few days back can seem overwhelming and boring after so much time off from school. It’s important to schedule fun and relaxing things for the wee ones (and yourself!) to prevent the doldrums from setting in and to give everyone something to look forward to.
4. Stick to a schedule.
A great way to keep kids from becoming overwhelmed with the adjustment back to school days (or daze) is to make sure they have a schedule and stick to it. For exmple, tutoring on Wednesdays after school, a sports group on Tuesday evenings. Keep it consistent after winter break and spring break, too.
Kids like routine and having a schedule—it helps them to know where they’re going and what they’re doing.
5. Learn from the past.
If all else fails, remind yourself what worked for you before the break. If you are having a heck of a time getting your 7-year-old out of bed in the morning, ask yourself what you did to get him into a routine last term—because you know he wasn’t late for school every single day for the whole term!
6. Focus on the now.
While you want to be planning ahead, don’t get caught up in what is happening in three or six months down the line. Sometimes it helps to remind them (and yourself!) to simply focus on the day or even the moment. The following day, repeat. The next thing you know, you will have established a routine.
7. Stay active.
By nature, an exercise program is regimented and forces you to establish a routine. Kids are no different and they need to have exercise or activity as part of their routine. Whether it’s a walk every day or a class where they participate formally, make sure they stay active.
8. Embrace the chaos.
Know that no matter what you do there will be be some moments of pure craziness, but don’t allow them stress you out. Few people (parents or kids) wake up the week back to school excited about the early alarm and looking forward school or work!
Do you have any amazing tips and tricks for getting the wee ones back into a school routine after time off? Let us know!
This article was updated in August 2015.
PHOTO: KATHY CASSIDY
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