BLOGGING THE VIEW: 5 tips for easing into back-to-school

Lauren Anthony

FOR some parents, the holidays seem to have gone on endlessly but for others, the thought of getting back into the school routine is already causing anxiety. No matter which category you fall under, here are some tips to make this return to school that much less stressful.

1. Re-establish your morning routine
You don’t want that first day to be a complete shock to the system, so start getting into a bit of a morning routine ahead of day one. This means getting the kids to wake up at a certain time, eat a healthy breakfast, and get ready for the day. Avoid screens before starting the school day, rather opt for chatting or reading – anything calm.

2. Chat about the first day of school
Starting a new school makes most children anxious – starting a new grade can be just as anxiety-inducing. The best way to tackle this is simply by talking over what they can expect on the day, and getting them to voice their biggest concerns. Talking through anxiety is a good way to put it in perspective and ease concerns about what to expect.

3. Get into a healthy bedtime routine
The morning routine is important, but the bedtime routine is equally so. Start setting a consistent bedtime for your child, with a calming routine that could involve a bath or shower, and then reading in bed. Make sure your child doesn’t have access to electronic devices well before bedtime, and try to keep the house calm and quiet.

4. Do as much the night before
There’s usually very little time to get much done in the mornings and that can create mass panic and chaos. Your best bet is to get as much done the night before school, also giving you time to check you have everything. Some of the things you can prepare ahead of time include:

· Packing the school lunch
· Laying out the school uniform
· Packing the sports kit bag
· Checking all homework has been done
· Putting the school bags by the front door.

5. Plan a final activity
It’s easier to get through something when there’s something to look forward to on the horizon. Consider planning a final end-of-holiday activity that the whole family will enjoy. You could also look forward to other exciting holidays and events after the start of term so your kids aren’t just focused on homework and studies.

The first week is usually the toughest, but with a bit of preparation, this could be a great start to the school year!

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