It is almost time to say goodbye to summer and prepare the kids for school. Here are some ways to reduce stress during the back to school transition and enjoy the last few weeks of summer.
- Return your household to a regular routine. This includes gradually restoring the bedtime routine and the morning routine until your child goes to bed at about the time you would like her to when school starts.
- Have fun shopping for the new school year. Kids love to shop for school supplies and pick out new clothes to wear during the first week of school. Start shopping a few weeks before school starts to give your child a better selection to choose from. Getting an early start will also help everyone feel less rushed and provide time to search for the best deal on more expensive items, such as laptops.
- Ask your child to help design a homework area for the new school year. Decorate the homework area with some fun but functional crafts, such as holders for pencils or a decorated box to hold crayons. The homework area should be in a quiet corner of the house, not next to the TV, and in a place where you can easily monitor what is going on.
- If your child is anxious about returning to school, help relieve her stress by focusing on the new opportunities the new school year will offer. Most schools have a meet and greet before school starts. Attend this event so that your child can meet her new teachers and also can identify any extra activities or clubs that may excite her.
- End summer on a positive note by planning fun activities to enjoy in the last couple of weeks. Plan a camping trip or a picnic in the park with family and friends, have fun at home helping your kids create a scrapbook of their summer adventures or take one last trip to the pool before your kids return to their busy school year schedule.
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