It’s officially August! Which means it’s time for all things back-to-school related. For some parents, it might be overwhelming to switch your kids’ summer habits, such as sleeping in late and relaxing, to the school year’s routine of early mornings and nights filled with homework. We’re hoping to give you a few tips on how to set your kids up for success this upcoming school year and to help ease your anxieties!
1. Establishing Routines
Routines are super important for a successful school year. You can start by setting an alarm for your kids a week or two before school starts. Set the alarm a little earlier each day to try and ease your children into waking up early. You can also establish a morning routine for your kids to start off their day right. Plan out what time their alarm should go off, so they have enough time in their routine to get ready, pack their bookbag, and eat a good breakfast. This will be especially helpful if you have multiple kids who need to share the bathroom. Each kid should have an individual routine that won’t cause issues for their siblings on a regular day.
2. Staying Positive
It’s easy to let your emotions get the better of you when you're under stress. Remember to be flexible this fall. Be a safe space for your child when they’re home from school. Encourage self-care in the home for both you and your kids. Having a positive mindset for your children as they enter the school year can help them manage their anxiety and increase their trust and honesty with you. Tell your kids your expectations of them for the school year but remember when things don’t go as planned to keep a positive and flexible mindset.
3. Maintain Balance
A big part of being successful during the school year is knowing how to balance your kid’s time. Scheduling clubs, sports, tutoring, and birthday parties, while making time for friendships, homework, and personal time can be difficult. Invest in a good calendar and a planner. Depending on how old your children are, buy them calendars and planners too so they can start managing their time themselves. Encourage extracurricular involvement while keeping in mind the difficulty of the courses your child is enrolled in and maintaining their stress levels. Overworking and overscheduling yourself and your children during the school year can be a recipe for disaster.
Do you or your children need extra help managing your time or anxiety this school year?
Schedule an appointment today with The Purpose Center by reaching out to kaytie@kkjpsych.com or call 919-493-1975.