Summer holidays are over and the early morning routine kicks back into gear, and for some parents and kids, this can come as quite a shock to the system. Even though it happens every year, a few months of leisure can be hard to forget, and if you are not the best prepared of parents, here are a few helpful hints to make the return to school a smooth transition.
Time to Decompress
It might seem like a good idea to just wait until the first day of school and expect everyone to automatically be ready on time, but in reality, this is a recipe for disaster. Start the kids getting up early at least one week before the first day of school and you might want to give them something to do, otherwise they will view the process as a waste of time. A few simple tasks around the home would do it, and if this is met with little enthusiasm, you might like to entice them with some small rewards. The weekend prior to school starting should be as quiet as possible, as you do not want your kids to be tired on the first day back after the long holiday.
Uniforms and Accessories
Don’t wait until the last minute to buy all the clothing and other essentials for the start of a new academic year. Source the best store for a new school blazer, shirts and pants well in advance, as they might not have your size and will have to order the garments. There are online suppliers of school wear that make going back to school a breeze, and by placing your order a few weeks early, you can be sure everything will be ready on the day.
Create a List
This is best done with your children, and should include everything that needs to be arranged before the big day. Uniform items, such as school blazer and sports kit should be carefully considered a few weeks prior to the new term, and once you have a list, the shopping is a lot easier. Make a separate list for school supplies, and that would include crayons, pens, pencils and erasers, along with any special books they need.
Label All School Garments
Clothing is never cheap and if your children’s clothing is not clearly labelled, you may have to go out and buy another blazer or sports shirt. Label everything that might be taken off at school and you will be glad you did.
Involve your Kids
If you view going back to school as a “them and us” scenario, you will always be fighting a losing battle. It is far better to involve your children in the preparation process, as this will also help them to become more responsible, and if they have a say in how things are done, you are less likely to meet with any resistance.
The long summer break is welcome for all students, but the return to school can be a killer if you are not prepared, and by following the above, the return to school should be a smooth transition.
