By Mimi Greenwood Knight
I remember being six years old and a neighborhood kid explaining to me that summer was only three months long. In my young mind, we went to school for a year, then had a year to play and enjoy summer freedom. It was not welcome news. Summer break today is even shorter, averaging only two and a half months. Don’t look now, but it’s time to make the transition from lazy summer days to school routine. Here are some ideas for making that adjustment smooth — and even pleasant.
Visit the School
Whether your child is returning to a familiar school or starting a new one, ring up and see if there’s a time you and your child can pop over and stroll around a bit. Visit the building where they’ll be having class, the cafeteria where they’ll eat lunch, the playground, gym, computer lab, etc., and give them a chance to ask questions. Becoming familiar or reacquainted with these spaces can relieve some of the stress of that first day.
Adopt Your School Routine Early
Give your kids — and yourself — a week or two to adjust to earlier bedtimes and mornings. Reinstate evening bath routines and start waking up earlier a couple of weeks before school is scheduled to begin. That way, you’ll all be adjusted by the time the first day of class arrives. For very young kids, you can even have them practice eating lunch from a lunchbox.
Model Positivity
In this and all things, your child takes their cue from you. Give them ample opportunity to talk about how they’re feeling about heading back to school and remind them of the fun aspects, such as reconnecting with friends. Talk about the things they like, such as art, music, or gym. For very young kids, talk them through what an average day will look like. Above all, keep your words and your mood positive. Let them know you expect this to be an amazing school year.
Clear the Family Schedule
As much as possible, simplify your evenings and weekends, especially during the first couple of weeks of school. Kids often come home exhausted those first few days and will need plenty of downtime to rest.
Establish a Homework Station
A good homework routine can make even reluctant students more compliant. They need to know the ground rules, and the rules need to stay consistent. (No technology until homework is complete is a good one.) And they need a nice, uncluttered homework station on which to work.
Prepare for the Morning the Night Before
My goal was to give my children a peaceful morning before sending them off to school each day. For me, it was worth spending an extra half hour at night planning breakfast, setting backpacks by the door, laying out their clothes, packing lunches, etc., to avoid a frantic start to the day.
Lastly, extend grace to your kids and yourself. Transitions are difficult, and this one probably won’t be perfect. But before you know it, you’ll be back in your schooltime routine and on your way to enjoying a great year.
A Few Lunchbox Dos and Don’ts
If there’s one thing we know about kids and lunches (or dinners, for that matter), they don’t like their food to touch. (Unthinkable!) It can be worth investing in a bento-style lunchbox where each food stays in its own compartment, thank you very much. Beyond that, try these ideas.
- Sure, it’s more work when your child “helps” you prepare their lunch. But including them in the preparation greatly increases the chance they’ll actually eat it. Consider preparing lunch with your child, the night before, and making it a fun activity.
- Cater to your child by giving them things they like, and the way they like them. Be sure to include at least one food you know your child will eat. Better yet, give them two or three choices and let them select the one they prefer.
- Don’t send food in their lunch they haven’t already tried at home. They’re less likely to try something new away from home.
- Great chefs routinely scrutinize uneaten food on the patron’s plates in a restaurant to see what’s successful and what isn’t. Do the same with your child’s school lunch. If they’re not eating a certain component, ask them why and adjust accordingly.
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