Few things change day-to-day life within a family like that week when the kids go back to school. From the time you get up until the time you go to bed, no minutes go untouched by a return to the classroom and fall activities.
How can parents and kids make this transition as gracefully as possible? We asked JoLynn Azure, M.D., a family doctor at Sanford Highway 2 Clinic in Minot, North Dakota, to help us prepare for this exciting and challenging time of the year.
There are ways to reduce the stress and help your child make the transition. An important first step as a parent is realizing and understanding, along with your children, that it’s time to get down to business. Sometimes that’s not so easy.
“You’re still in summer mode,” Dr. Azure said. “You’re not ready for school to start.”
All the more reason to get going on a preparation process that includes the whole family.
Easing kids’ worries
Your child may have a variety of fears about school starting. Common fears in elementary school include separation from parents, not making friends and getting lost. These fears are normal.
As a parent, you might also have some fears and worries about your child starting school. Be sure to manage your own stress to ensure you don’t pass it on to your child.
Listen to your child’s worries without being dismissive. Instead of saying, “There is nothing to worry about. You’ll be fine,” try saying, “I know that’s hard. I can see you feel scared because …”
Be sure your child knows it is OK to be nervous or worried.
Early to bed, early to rise
Eliminating or lessening some common back-to-school issues can be as simple or as difficult as going to bed earlier.
“A lot of parents have some trouble with their children and bedtime,” Dr. Azure said. “So it’s best to start on that a week or two before school starts and start going to bed at the same time every night.”
Establishing a routine that starts earlier can begin with an earlier supper. All that follows – turning off the TV, putting away the electronic stuff, brushing teeth, etc. – can also start a little earlier.
“Making sure you’re getting up at the same time every day can really help the body transition into the school year,” Dr. Azure said. “If your kids were going to bed at 11 p.m. and you want them to go to bed at 8 p.m., it’s not going to happen overnight. It can be a good idea to move bedtime up by 15 or 30 minutes a night trying to get to that ideal bedtime.”
Eating right
Nutrition that helps a child get through a day with adequate energy is a worthy target. That applies to the summer as well, of course, but it becomes more important when school starts.
“A lot of times kids and parents eat a lot more treats and candy during the summer,” Dr. Azure said. “Getting back to the fruits and vegetables is a good idea. It can help to replace the sugary snacks that might be out on your countertop with peaches and strawberries. It can be a way to redirect your family’s diet.”
Back-to-school transition tips
Use the following tips and suggestions to make the transition back to school successful for your child.
- Take a tour. Help your child get comfortable with the school and the classroom. If possible, visit or take a tour of the classroom. If you can’t get into the building, make time for your child to play on the playground. “It can be very helpful to know where the classrooms are even if it’s the same school as last year,” Dr. Azure said. “Make sure you go to the orientation the school is offering so you can help your kids understand where they need to be that first day.”
- Talk with your child. Find out what they are excited about and worried about. Include your child in brainstorming ways to make this transition easier. Try saying, “Let’s think of some ways I can help make going back to school easier for you.”
- Establish morning routines. Consistency and predictability will eliminate stress. Start the morning routine a few days before school starts. Your child may benefit from a picture schedule showing the morning tasks such as getting dressed, eating breakfast and brushing teeth. Let your child draw pictures of each morning task and help in deciding where to hang the morning schedule.
- Practice runs. Try practice runs to see how long it takes to drive your child to school. If your child walks to school or to the bus stop, walk it together to learn the route and the time needed.
- Prepping the night before. Have clothes picked out and lunches packed the evening before. Designate a location for morning items such as school bags, shoes and coats. Help prepare your child by talking about the morning routine the night before.
Healthy habits for all
“In addition to proper rest and diet, do what you can to make sure you and your children have the best chance to avoid getting sick – do a lot of handwashing and make sure they cover their mouths when they cough,” Dr. Azure said. “Putting a bottle of hand sanitizer in the backpack can also be a good idea.”
An annual well child check will keep your children updated on immunization, no matter when you do it. Summer can be a smart time to schedule it, however.
“Routine health maintenance is the goal of any provider,” Dr. Azure said. “Checking in once year during the summer means you can address all your child’s labs, immunizations and any other health concerns as you go into the school year.”
It is important to remember the school year is not all about the kids. Healthy choices are in the best interest of those who are looking out for the kids, too.
“Sometimes parents forget themselves,” Dr. Azure said. “Their health can easily get out of control with the wrong diet or not seeking care for some health conditions. Parents want to make sure they’re drinking their water and eating their fruits and vegetables so the kids can mimic those health habits.”
Learn more
- Tips for shifting kids back to their school sleep schedule
- How to help teens with their back-to-school routine
- Follow these backpack tips to help protect your child’s back
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Posted In Back to School, Behavioral Health, Children's, Family Medicine, Parenting
