Back to School Tips for Parents

We’ve seen it on the signs and the ads, we’ve heard it in conversations the last few weeks: “Back to school!” This summer has truly flown by, and whether your kids are excited and eager or nervous and reluctant, there are a lot of changes that go on in the home when it’s time to get the kids back to school! So we’ve gathered some helpful tips that will help you as the parent AND your kid get ready to be back in that school routine.

Start getting in bed

It’s important that kids get back into a good sleep habit before school starts. If you can, start putting the kids to bed at the same time as school nights so that their bodies acclimate to the new sleep schedule. Help them get into a healthy sleep routine by making sure they get eight hours of sleep. And don’t forget to put away all screens for the night about thirty minutes before they go to bed. This will help their brains wind down and prepare for a good night of restful sleep.

Send them off to school with breakfast

It is proven time and time again in clinical studies that children who have a healthy breakfast perform better in school and have more energy. Talk with your kid the night before right when they wake up about what they would like for breakfast so that they look forward to eating in the mornings. Be sure they have a balanced meal with plenty of protein (like eggs, milk, or sausage) so they make it through the busy morning without getting hungry of having sugar crashes at school.

Pack a simple and nutritious lunch

Food is so important in growing brains, and making sure your child has enough nutrients is essential to their performance in school. To put it plainly: how they eat can affect their grades. This is why we have to make sure their brains are getting enough fuel to process all that they learn. If you pack your kid’s lunch, talk to them about what they like to eat so you know they won’t just throw their food away, but make sure that it does have some nutrients in it too. A good template is a healthy sandwich, like turkey or chicken, (you can sneak in some veggies here too—lettuce, tomato, spinach, etc.), a handful of veggies (or some crackers if your kids hate veggies), and a fruit for dessert. Send them with milk or water, so they don’t overload on sugar found in most juices and kids’ drinks.

Find a school buddy

Particularly if your child is nervous, find a buddy for them to go to school with. Whether they take the bus or are dropped off, help find a good friend with whom your child can sit next to on the bus or walk inside with. This helps get your kid excited for the day, and it’s less nerve wracking when they have someone to share the time with. See if there is anyone in the neighborhood, or call a fellow mom and ask her to meet you at the school so you can drop off your kiddos together.

Talk about homework

Talk about what your kids are learning and if they have any trouble in a subject. Kids who share in these troubles are more likely to ask for help when needed. The more open they are about their schoolwork, the easier it will be to decide if they need any extra help or tutoring. Also, check your kid’s homework environment. Is it quiet enough? Are there too many distractions? Does your child have enough time and space to do work without the TV and other screens interfering? Ask your child what he or she needs and how they best focus so you can know how to help. Sometimes, quiet classical music helps a kid maintain focus while they work. Learn what environment your child learns best in.

Talk about expectations

What does your kid expect the year to look like? What do they want to accomplish or how do they want the school year to go? Older kids will especially have expectations already set in their minds about what they want out of a school year. Open up conversation by asking what they are looking forward to, what they’re nervous about, what they want to happen in those first few weeks. Let them know that other kids will also be nervous and remind them that you and their teachers are there to help.

Show them you think about them and love them

Show your child that you think about them during the day by little things. If they have a phone, send them a text before school starts to wish them a good day. Write a note and leave it in your child’s lunchbox to remind them you love them. Little bits of encouragement and love will go a long way in helping your child feel supported.

Let your child know what to expect after school

Whether you will be the one to pick them up and be at home with them, or if they are in after school child care, talk to your child about what they will do after school. Help them understand their routine. If another adult is in charge of them until you are able to be with them, remind them about listening and respecting whoever is supervising them. Communicate with your children about what they want or need after school, and let them know that you are helping guide their routine until they or you return home.