Back-to-school is upon us once and again, and with it comes excitement – and stress. And while some of that stress is probably inevitable, here are some ideas (hint: get some sleep!) for how to get the school year off to a good start for everyone in the family:
- Set a bedtime and stick to it. It can be really difficult after a summer of flexible bedtimes to get back into a sleep routine, but it’s a must for school year success. Getting enough sleep has an impact on all kinds of things in a child’s life – including their behavior at school – and prioritizing it is a great way to start the year. So, find a bedtime that makes sure everyone gets enough rest. And don’t forget: sleep is important for you, too, mom and dad!
- Get to know the teacher. Maybe being homeroom mom isn’t your thing, but you can make sure both parents/guardians are on the school email list so that you can stay up to date on what’s going on at school. It is also a great idea to email your child’s teacher to make some initial contact, and get to know them and share any important information about your child. Remember, it is much easier to solve a problem that comes up during the school year if you are already communicating with the teacher.
- Get organized for after school time. What does your after-school time need: A schedule for homework? A spot where the kids can do homework? Snacks in a bin that are easy for kids to grab? A meal plan to make cooking dinner easier? After school time can be rough for all involved – you are short on time, and lots needs to be done. Think ahead to where your trouble spots have been in the past and plan your way to a more successful after school space.
- It’s okay to say no to extras. Extra-curricular activities are important for kids, but there is a limit to how much you can fit into a day. It’s okay to say no when you notice that the kids (or you!) are feeling the time crunch and the stretch. Downtime is important and being over-scheduled can lead to everyone feeling cranky. This goes for your weekends, too – you don’t need to visit every pumpkin patch in the tri-county area this fall if it’s causing more stress than it’s worth.
- Make sleep a priority. Is this basically a repeat of bullet point number one? Yes, it is. But that’s how important sleep is for your children. This time, I’ll remind you that having a bedtime routine you can follow every night is important. When kids wind down in the same way to a predictable routine, it decreases bedtime stress and they head off to dream land quicker, and you can get some sleep (or time to watch Netflix – no judgment!), too.
One final tip as you head in this new school year: That first weekend after the first week of school doesn’t need to be jammed packed. Order pizza for dinner, watch a movie, or take a hike outside. Let everyone have that weekend to decompress from the first week of school. Leaving yourselves a little space to process the week will help make sure you all enter week two ready to go.
You’ve got this, caregivers – happy back-to-school!
Katelyn Collins, MS, ECMH-II
