It is almost that time of the year again … yes, it’s time for the kids to go back to school and that means you need to get back into the groove too.
While the summer break may have been relaxing, or filled with planned activities for the kids, the beginning of a school year can be very taxing.
Regardless of whether you have one child going back to school or four, having a clear plan will definitely be useful. You may have already mastered the back-to-school routine, but here are a few tips to make the first day of school as effortless as possible:
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Reset the wake-up call:
The kids may have been sleeping in through the summer, but now that first day of school is around the corner, reset their alarms and their biological clocks at least a week in advance so that they can get used to waking up earlier. This way you won’t be screaming on the top of your voice to get your kids out of bed.
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Re-emphasize bedtime:
Just like the wake-up call, make sure you put the children to bed at a decent hour too, so that they get their 8-10 hours of sleep every day.
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Get them immunized:
Most schools are particular about regular immunizations, so make sure you get all that out of the way a few days before the first day of school. That way, the kids will have enough time to get over any side effects of the vaccination and you’ll have all the paperwork ready to submit.
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Create a game plan:
Help both young and older kids create a game plan to tackle homework and all other activities they will have throughout the school year, including sports, arts and more. A calendar or daily planner will help you stay organized too. Planning up to a week in advance is recommended.
Having a clear idea of what you need to make for the first day of school and every day thereafter will help you stay sane during the mad morning rush. It may help to have a breakfast assembly line with your kids’ favorite foods so that the older children can help themselves as you pack lunch boxes like a pro.
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Create a homework/study corner:
Engage the kids by having them design a homework/study corner. Having helped with the design and set up, children will enjoy using the space to complete their school work.
It may have been a while since you thought of lunchboxes, school night meals, school supplies and all the other fun stuff associated with the school year, but it is time to do so. Equipped with these tips, fun lunchbox ideas and a whole lot of creativity, you should be all set to face the dreaded back to school mayhem.
References
Back-to-School Tips for Parents. (2012, November 08). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/going-to-school/back-to-school/back-to-school-tips-for-parents/
Picard, C. (2018, August 03). 20 Back-to-School Tips to Make Your Life Easier as a Parent. Retrieved from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/tips/g2358/back-to-school-prep/
Fannin, J. (2017, December 07). 11 ‘Back To School’ Parent Tips. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-fannin/11-back-to-school-parent-_b_11411518.html
