Hi Everyone! Today I have a very special guest sharing her tips to enable us to get the kids ready for school without stress! Yes, stress-free! The last weeks of summer do not need to feel rushed. We can take steps today to prepare for a peaceful back to school transition.
Michelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Director of Community Counseling Associates and is sharing her tips with you today. Be sure to hop on over to her blog for more practical parenting advice!
My heart sank as the first email arrived in my inbox this week indicating that the start of school was closing in. As a working mom, I do enjoy when my children return to school creating a decrease in my mommy guilt and childcare costs. I also know before I get to enjoy the respite of school, I first have to survive all that back to school entails.
From medical checkups, school supply shopping and clothes sorting to additional paperwork, calendaring and open houses, the tasks rapidly approaching make we want to repack the suitcase I’ve yet to unpack and return to my vacation destination.
My sense of freedom usually doesn’t truly kick in until at least a week or two after they are settled in and I sigh with relief as the rhythm of fall begins.As a professional counselor, I work with clients all the time regarding stress management and back to school is definitely a season that tests even the best time management professional.
Below are six tips to help you succeed:
Prepare your list.
I know it’s so tempting to wait and enjoy those last lazy moments of summer in complete denial but the stores are just going to get more crowded and the deadlines more intense. Beginning at least three weeks before school starts, I make a brain dump of all I know is coming. If I get some of these done each week or even just one a day, that will leave
If I get some of these done each week or even just one a day, that will leave room (or margin) for all the unknowns that surprise me each year. I confess I personally avoid some of this effort by supporting our PTA and ordering from them all of the school supplies packaged together.
Some of the details on the brain dumps of mothers I polled include:
a. School Supply Shopping. If you don’t have a PTA that does it for you or choose to gather items from the posted lists (which are never complete) yourself, you may want to gather a little at a time when you grocery shop and run errands. One mom I know gets a bin for each child in the house and slowly picks up an item here or there with the lists taped to the front. I also love the team effort I can tap into through Facebook.
If I can’t find a particular item, I bank on other parents’ great search and find skills to lead me in the right direction. Someone mentioned to me today that they like to wait for tax-free weekend. I personally would rather pay the tax and avoid the crowds. If you just can’t pass up the bargain, you might find out when the stores are least crowded but know you will be risking having an item sold out and maybe having to shop at multiple locations.
b. School Calendaring. Place the school calendar dates on your phone or notebook calendar for the year. I love doing this while watching my favorite television show.
c. School Breakfast and Lunches. Some really organized parents I know work on school lunch ideas with the kids or freeze some easy healthy breakfasts. If you are not that mom lets me relieve some guilt as I confess though that I’ve been known to take advantage of the $1 packaged cheese, meat, cracker and cookie sales that often occur adding fruit, yogurt and cucumbers into the bags to convince myself that it’s not the worst thing ever.
d. School Records and Registrations. Whether it’s vaccination updates/waivers or simply getting online to confirm information, getting this done in advance can prevent some late night deadline hitting for moms who tend to procrastinate.
Prepare their clothes.
The malls are going to get crowded and discovering things no longer fit. At the end of July, we try on the clothes we need for school making sure tennis shoes still fit, and creating a list of what needs to be purchased. We then shop online or usually can complete the task with one trip to the mall or discount store. In general, since I live in Texas, I get to coast on this chore waiting until the weather gets colder and letting them wear their summer clothes a little longer.
Prepare the schedule.
I know I’m not alone in that especially toward the end of summer (actually the entire way through), no one in my home is generally up at six AM. Our school starts are 7:15 and I give my kids plenty of time to wake up gently and avoid the conflict and intensity that comes with, “Hurry up. Did you hear me? I mean now” type of directives. By the beginning of August or when we return from vacation, we slowly start transitioning to earlier bedtimes and mornings. Sleep is a vital part of emotional stability and academic success.
Prepare their minds.
I know some amazing homeschooler and moms in general who intentionally keep learning to thrive through the summer. This scattered girl always has great intentions but what actually occurs is more of a sprinkle of a few math problems and trips to the library than a well-structured delivery. As school approaches, it might be a good idea to just encourage a little reading and math so they don’t return with eyes glazed over and in shock as they try to jump-start brains that might have endured a reduced amount stimulation.
Prepare them socially.
Many of us take advantage of summer to catch up with family and friends we don’t see during the school year. Your child may have lost some connections during the summer but children often thrive when they return to new classrooms and teachers from the added confidence of supportive friendships. The weeks before school starts, we try and get a few of the girls together for my daughter and boys for my son so they can walk in the door with renewed connections.
These playdates are even more important when starting a new school. I loved a recent social media post I saw from a new mom in town asking for summer playdates so her children will already have a head start when they enter the elementary school doors for the first time. I also remind my own kids of loyal friends from last year and to seek them out during their recess time. I tell them I look forward to hearing how“so and so’s” summer went which directs them to show interest in others and reconnect.
Pray God’s blessing on their year.
If you are spiritually minded, praying is a great practice to add into your routine with them and for them. I pray Scriptures like that they would grow in wisdom and stature, and favor with men. I pray for their teachers and peers. I pray for the school leadership and that all of us would be blessed to be a blessing.
I can’t walk through the hallways every moment with them but I know the One who can. I pray that they will sense His presence with every breath and interaction. We not only pray at night or at mealtimes but also in the carpool line (eyes open – I promise.)
Finally, grab onto those last precious moments of freedom and a little less activity and breathe. It all doesn’t have to be done in one day. One task a day may very well keep the back to school stress away.
Michelle Nietert, Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Director of Community Counseling Associates, has been passionately equipping audiences in the community, church, school and private practice office setting for over twenty years. A happily married mom of two children, Michelle loves inspiring readers and audiences alike to discover Solutions for Life. Visit her website www.counselorthoughts.com for practical advice regarding parenting and a variety of mental health topics.
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM SUMMER SCHEDULE TO SCHOOL SCHEDULE?
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Great tips! I shop a little throughout the summer for school supplies and clothes. So I am done before the mass rush.
I start getting my nephew back on his school sleep schedule. Then writting, reading and math from worksheets and computer programs. This article is a great read! Have a fantastic school year everyone ?
I love these tips it’s actually similar to some of my routine Thank you for sharing.
Thank you I’m a busy mom of 3 and is always looking for things to help.
Great read thank you so much. I have one going into kindergarten and one starting middle school.
My boy is too young for me to be thinking of back to school, but I will definitely be doing what my mom did. Early to bed for the week before to get us used to it and always make our lunches the night before and lay out clothes out ready.
Thanks for the article
Love praying during car line!!! Maybe we all need to do this!! I usually stock up on school supplies so I don’t have any last minute runs to the store during school time. Mom I need a poster board, mom we need blue pens….
Bed earlier for sure .. And our expectations household chores for first month
Great article, we usually schedule a weekend trip to the science museum or aquarium a couple of weeks after schools starts, it is educational and give the kids something fun to look forward to
My son is in high school so we don’t get an early supply list. So, when I’m out and about and see a good deal on supplies, I’ll stock up. If he doesn’t end up needing it, I’ll donate it!
Be sure to prepare new teachers of any special needs your child has. Create a positive profile for your child if they need any specific instructions. Knowing everyone involved has made sure to read any individual education plans or additional information on your child will help with transition into a new class or new school. This really helped us this year.
I don’t have worry about it at this time . When I did I wouldn’t change my routine throughout the summer so I could keep the same schedule and not be behind when it was time to g9 back to school.
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I probably overstock on supplies at the end of the sales – last year bought binders for 25 cents a ton of them all colors – now I just pull out what we need, no spending $2 per binder when the kids need 6 each.
I also buy clothes out of season which works well until they get older?
Still have a long way until my 20 month old starts school. But it’s a great article. Thanks.
My kids are grown now but I always started their routine two weeks before school started. I really liked the tip about praying over them.
Need to start waking the kids up in the morning to practice for school time.
Reinstate Bedtime Routine: Whether it’s bath time and a book or a more elaborate routine, get back into it. For older children, this might mean getting electronics out of the bedroom. Phones, tablets and computers should never be part of the bedtime routine, or bedtime at all. Starting this a couple weeks before school is back in session allows our children to go through one transition at a time. Their bodies will quickly recall the patterns that lead up to bedtime and by the time school starts, they will be sleeping soundly and ready to hit the books.
My favorite tip that she said was praying for them. In this society these days we ever fully know what our kids are seeing and hearing especially in public schools and praying for God to watch over them is so important.
I buy backpacks and a big personal calendar first. Then as menus are released and supplies are released I slowly start filling those things up.
I slowly buy things when I see them on clearance all year round. That goes for clothes and supplies.
I’ve already been shopping at BJ’s to stock up on lunch items. We start on Monday, and my supply shopping was done before August started. This morning I cleaned out a closet to have a prepared place for backpacks. Eventually I will add baskets for winter gloves and things as well as storage on the door for homework supplies.
Have my children refresh their reading skills. They can read a recipe to me while I prepare dinner. They can help me grocery shop by reading and finding items on my list.
I have a 1st grader and 9th. Love spending time with them on the weekends.
My daughter isn’t in school yet, but when we are going to a different schedule from our normal routine I make sure she is well rested and then talk her through exactly what is going on!
We like to have as much time together as possible before school starts. It helps with the sting of endless….everything. We always get clothes and lunches ready the night before. Homework is done as soon as you walk in the door, that way the rest of the night is free. Then we start getting ready for bed at least an hour before each kids goal bedtime. We aren’t perfect and sometimes run latell or don’t hit that bedtime on the nose, but we it all works out. So don’t stress when things going wonky throughout the year,it happens to all of us.
My son is 2 so i dont have to worry about back to school.
Sleep schedules are the biggest problem. I try waking them up early so the go to bed early 2 weeks before school starts.
I don’t have to do much yet because the baby is in daycare but these tips are nice to know and remember for when I need them!
The week before school starts we slowly get to bed a bit earlier each night, and up a bit earlier each day till we are at our scheduled times. Even I (mom) have to adjust for the hectic school mornings.
My little one isn’t in school yet, but she’s at a daycare center. I try to talk to her on the car ride in about her friends and what she’ll be doing that day to help ease the stress at drop off.
I wrote down the school supply list in the notebook that I use while I’m doing deals at the food store. I made sure my coupons were there if I thought I could use them. When I see a good deal on what I need in the list, I make sure I get to that store during the week, and cross it off the supply list. I also am trying to buy clothes on clearance, that size up from my 5 year old, so he can use them when he’s older/bigger.
Start them back up on a routine a couple of weeks before school starts.
My son is just about to turn 2, so I don’t have to worry about school yet. But I am also contemplating home schooling, reading this article just makes me want to do it more lol. School shopping seems very consumeristic every year having to buy new things that might not get used completely or are unnecessary.
I like the last Tip. Above all pray God’s protection on them and all the people they come in contact with.
I slowly get a piece of clothing when I go to store so one, I don’t break the bank and two, I’m not stressing. I also start making them go to bed earlier so they’re used to it. Last year I would get everything ready the night before so in the morning no one is stressed out