Back to School for Parents: Tips for Surviving Back-to-School Season

‍

Back-to-school season is a time of new beginnings, reunions and old rivalries. Whether you’re sending your child off to their first day of school or preparing for their last, back-to-school season is a time of transition that can be stressful for parents. Back to school means double the packed lunches, double the book bags and double the after-school activities. With so many preparations to make and things to consider, it’s easy for parents to feel overwhelmed by the back-to-school season. Whether you’re a parent with a child heading into their final year at high school or a parent whose child is enrolling in kindergarten for the first time, read on for some helpful back-to-school tips.

Back to School for Parents: Tips for Surviving Back-to-School Season

Decide on a Schedule

As children head back to school, parents will often launch into the “back to school routine.” The first step to doing this successfully is deciding on a schedule. Decide on a schedule for meals, homework, extracurricular activities and sleep, and stick to it. A consistent schedule will help your child to regulate their emotions and manage their time more effectively. A parent who’s organized and efficient will be much less stressed during a busy back-to-school period than a parent who’s running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Back to School for Parents: Tips for Surviving Back-to-School Season

Back-to-School Shopping

With all the other things to do during a parent’s back-to-school period, you may be tempted to put off back-to-school shopping as long as possible. However, it’s a terrific opportunity to get some errands out of the way early. Back-to-school shopping is a once-a-year opportunity for families to stock up on supplies, clothing and shoes. It’s the one time of year when stores offer everything from backpacks to pencil boxes at a reduced cost. Back-to-school shopping can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Make a list of everything your child will need, and shop with a plan.

Establish Communication Lines

As your child gets ready to head back to school, it’s a great time to establish communication lines. Parents and children must learn to communicate well with one another. This is especially true as your child enters the teenage years when communication between parents and teens tends to break down. Parents and children can improve communication by setting aside regular times to talk and by making a point to listen to each other.

Set Up A Healthy Routine

During back-to-school season, parents can easily fall into unhealthy lifestyle habits. Parents who are stressed and busy are more likely to make poor eating and sleeping decisions, which can negatively affect their mood and mental state. During the back-to-school season, make an effort to maintain a healthy routine and set aside time for rest. A healthy routine includes eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Parents should also make time for activities that help them to relax and de-stress.

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

As parents try to put the pieces of their lives back together after the long summer months, they can often neglect to take care of themselves. Parents who are stressed, overworked, and sleep-deprived are more likely to snap at their children and less likely to be able to solve problems healthily. To reduce stress and improve your mood, make an effort to take care of yourself. Make time for activities that relax you, such as reading or meditating. Make sure to get enough sleep, and take time for self-care, even if it’s just a few minutes of meditation or deep breathing every day.

Conclusion

Back-to-school season is a time of transition, and it can be challenging for both parents and children. Fortunately, there are many things parents can do to ease the transition and make back to school smoother for everyone. As children head back to school, parents can make sure to create a healthy routine, establish communication lines and take care of themselves. By doing these things, parents will be better equipped to handle the back-to-school season, and their children will be better prepared to tackle the challenges of the school year.