As August brings the first day of school, you might be double checking supplies, doctor checkups, and schedules to be ready for that first bell, but what else needs to be on the list? We asked moms for their best advice on preparing for back-to-school season, so you and your kid are ready for not just the first day but the whole year.
Prepare Expectations
What are your family’s guidelines for activities, grades, and extracurriculars? Do your kids know what you think? Having a sit-down conversation about priorities and how to approach them can minimize future struggles. Conversations like this make it easier for them to approach you, if they have a lower grade, or want your help with a problem at school.
Stephanie shares, “I always told my son that I would never get mad about his grades as long as he did his best and learned from his mistakes so that the next time he saw the problem or question, he would understand what he needed to do. In high school, he told me how much he appreciated that, compared to his friends’ parents who put so much pressure on them.”
Prepare Clothes.
Kids grow fast; their favorite shoes from last year may not be a Cinderella fit now. It’s better to discover this fact before school starts instead of 20 minutes before the bus comes to pick them up. Depending on where you live, you might need to start pulling out fall clothes now, or buy a school uniform for their upcoming classes. Some schools have specific guidelines for what kids can wear, and you’ll want to make sure they are following those, so they don’t get sent to the office because they are breaking the dress code.
Amber, a mom of three, reflects, “I didn’t realize how much of the clothes in their closets didn’t fit anymore. Summer is also the best time to get deals on winter clothing!”
Prepare Rhythms
If your family has been living a relaxing summer life and enjoying the sun, then that 6 a.m. alarm can be a harsh wake-up call if it only goes off on the first of school. Think of ways to start easing into the daily rhythms you’ll need in a few weeks so that when you go to get them out of bed, they aren’t in the middle of a R.E.M. cycle. Shifts can look like going to bed a little earlier or discussing what will change soon.
Chelsey believes leading with example helps the most, “Modeling being relaxed and confident about going back into a routine helps my kids be flexible and confident about going into that routine, too.”
Prepare your Home
Changing things around the house may not be on your list, but it’s worth asking a few questions to see if anything needs to happen: Where is homework going to be done? Do you have a plan for where backpacks or sports supplies will go? How do you want your morning or evening routines to be? Are there any adjustments you need to make to how your home is organized for the new school schedule?
Chryssi is a fan of designated areas and setting the mood to kick off the morning well, “We play peppy music, with a breakfast zone for easy access to food they can serve themselves, a backpack zone for things they need to remember to take to school, and more zones for getting ready which make for stress-free mornings.”
Prepare Supplies
The supply list is helpful, but you can reuse what they’ve had in the past, and only buy new when you have to. Snacks might not be on the supply list, but having the kid’s favorites in the pantry for when they come home that first week can also help them adjust.
One mom of four advises, “We reuse school supplies like binders, rulers, etc., and send the kids with basics (pencils, highlighters, paper, and a couple of folders) for the first day. We’ve saved money doing so, and it gives us space to get extra things the teacher may need.”
Prepare Communication
Parent-teacher communication has changed over the years, and now emails and Google Classroom allow parents to be more directly involved in their child’s progress. What does this look like for your family? Will you have check-ins with your child about homework or encourage them to advocate for themselves when they struggle with an assignment or to talk to the teacher? This might be part of the expectations conversation, but clear communication for both your student and teacher can make for a great year.
Sarah reminds her kids that it’s a process of growth, “Our four youngest (out of eight, not counting foster kids over the years) are in 6th-11th now, and it is important to us that they are learning healthy skills that translate into sanity later in life. Practicing finding balance and peace while also learning what your version of 100% looks/feels like is far more valuable than hyper-focusing on convincing a particular teacher they need two more points to bump their grade to another level, or else they’re ‘in trouble.'”
The first week can be a whiplash even if you feel you did everything right, so remember to keep breathing, have grace, and don’t plan anything significant for the first week. Emotions can run high as schedules shift, but knowing how you are approaching the year can make for a smoother transition and a year full of memories, learning, and growth for your kids and you.
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About the Author
Aj Smit is the author of the book Red Thread: Weaving an Embodied Life of Joy, speaker, glitter enthusiast, and professional weaver of Joy. She is a military spouse in S. Korea with a pup and houseplants galore. Aj has led various Red Tents, retreats, and workshops internationally over the last ten years to help others discover how to weave creativity and curiosity into their lives. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram at @TheJoyWeaver and TheJoyWeaver.com