The lazy-hazy days of summer are nearing an end,
Which means it’s time for kids to start thinking again!
Well, I just saw this years’ first back-to-school
advertisement. I can’t believe that it’s already time to start talking about
back-to-school! Where did the summer go?
Are your kids ready to go back? An even better question is:
are they prepared to go back? There is a difference!
Parents who have an active role in their children’s
education greatly influence their success, both in-class and beyond. Here are
some of my insider tips on how to prepare your kids for success during the
upcoming school year:
1: Develop good
sleeping habits
The transition from the non-restrictive days of summer to a
school-friendly sleep schedule can be quite difficult. According to the
National Sleep Foundation,
children ages five to twelve need 10-11 hours of sleep every night; older
children and teens need 9-10 hours of shut-eye.
It’s best to start “training” for the new school-time sleep
schedule about 1 week before school starts. That way your children will be prepared
for their day and will be less likely to be cranky!
2: Eat a healthy Breakfast
It’s a cliché for a reason; a quality breakfast sets the
tone for the rest of the day and therefore, it actually is the most important meal of the day. Preparing a healthy
breakfast every morning may not be as simple as it sounds though, and for some
families is downright impossible!
Families on the move still have healthy options. Check into
meals that can be prepared in advance or find a healthy grab-and-go option.
Whatever you do, experts say that you should never skip breakfast…ever!
3: Check those
clothes!
New back-to-school clothes can give kids a much needed
confidence boost, but lets be honest…some of the “slightly used” clothes will
be just fine.
Go through drawers and closets at least a weak before school
starts. Check for fit, wear & tear, and general appearance. Discard
outgrown clothes but consider donating them if they’re still in good
shape!
If your child’s school has a dress code, make sure their
wardrobe meets the school’s expectations!
4: Plan ahead
To school:
Determine how your child will get to school. Will they walk, ride a bike, or take
the bus? Once you’ve determined how they will get there, practice. Take a
family bike ride to the school, walk to the bus stop or have them drive you to
the school (obviously only if they’re old enough, or if they have a
really nice ride!)
This gives everyone an opportunity practice to-school travel at least once!
From School:
Sometimes to-and-from-school travel arrangements are different. You should
clearly state what will happen, and have them repeat it back to you. If you
plan on meeting your child after school, it’s a good idea to meet at a
pre-determined location. I always tell my kids “I’ll meet you right here by
this giant tree.” Then I ask them “Where will we be meeting?”
Practicing after-school travel is also a great way to make
sure everyone knows what to expect.
In an emergency: You
never know what may happen, so it’s best to familiarize your child with a few
“what-if” situations. Discussing how to react in a situation before it happens
can help them prepare for, and react faster, should they experience any unlikely events.
You should consider giving your kid a cell phone. I know
there are a ton of negatives associated with kids and phones, and they should
definitely be considered. Is your kid(s) responsible enough to have a cell
phone? The truthful answer is: probably not. A lot of adults aren’t responsible
enough to have a cell phone!
Thankfully, there are plenty of parental control apps that
allow parents to restrict, monitor, or flat-out block certain activities. Each
family will have to make this decision for themselves, but for me, I think it’s
a no-brainer: If something bad happens, I want my kids to be able to get help.
5: Be honest
Your kid is probably dreading going back to school, and you
probably can’t wait to send them back! You’re excited for them to clear the
cobwebs out of their brains!
It’s okay to tell them that.
It’s also okay to remind them that they felt the same way at
the beginning of the year last year, and by the end of the year they were sad
it was over. Remind them of the fun that they’ll have and the friends that
they will make.Tell them that you expect them to work hard. You expect them
to represent your family well. You expect them to do their best.
And…
When they say that they don’t want to go back to school but
they can’t explain why…
Be honest with them. Tell them it’s okay…
