Ugh, change. No one is good at it, and few of us like it. And the transition from summer vacation back to school can be particularly shocking for kids and parents alike. After weeks of free time and flexible schedules, no homework and fluctuating meal times, the whole family has to readjust and get ready for the school year routine. For many kids, it’s a time of excitement and they eagerly await the school bus. For others, the start of a new school year is filled with dread.
Before school starts, address the butterflies your kids may be feeling. A new school, anxiety over homework or the bully they faced last year can cause your child more worry than excitement. According to psychologist, Dr. Joan Simeo Munson, parents need to, “Realize that your child will require a period of time to figure out their comfort zone and what’s required for them to fit in to their new environment.” As a parent, there are steps you can take to ease your child back into the school year and ease those September jitters. With that in mind, here are some great back to school tips that should help soften the blow.
1. Set an earlier bedtime.
For many children, summer is a time for staying up late and sleeping in. Ease into a back to school mindset by getting ready for bedtime 15 minutes before it’s actually time to go to bed. This helps wind them down. Begin the process about three weeks before school starts, and make it gradual.
Read Related: 10 Money-Saving Back to School Tips
