This year may be the first time in history that children may be cheering to go back to school. What a year and a half it has been for our children. They have proven to be resilient, flexible, and determined and with the start of school just around the corner. Though, it may feel like we still do not have the answers for what school will look like this year. Unfortunately, COVID cases are rising all over the country and many school districts are waiting to see what is possible. Until then here are some tips for how to handle this uncertainty with your children.
1. Plan for the Options: Therefore, check in with your local school and see what their current plan is for the start of school and then set a plan for your family. If it is in person school, then you can map out what that looks like for your little ones. Knowing what to expect will help reduce fears and worries.
2. Involve Children in the Process: Going back to school shopping can be challenging especially if you have multiple children and a long list of supplies to get. Above all make it fun and try to remember that this is a big opportunity for them to mentally prepare for school. Let them pick out something special that they cannot wait to show their friends or new teacher.
3. Schedules are Everything: This is important as summertime often brings about later bedtimes and later mornings. Start adjusting your child’s routine a few weeks before school starts. Move their bedtime back by 15 minutes each day for those two weeks to get them back in school mode. This will help the mornings out immensely for you both. Above all making sure they get the proper sleep will help them tackle their school day.
4. Lunchtime: If your children are anything like mine, they have been eating a ton and at random times over the last year and a half. It is important to get them back to a schedule of eating at snack time and lunchtime. This can help fuel their bodies so they can stay focused on learning in the classroom. Therefore, check in with their school and see what time snack is and lunch for their age and start a few weeks out to adjust their summer schedule to this.
5. Check in With Them: See how your kids are feeling about being back in school. It was a huge adjustment for them to change to a distance learning model it will also be and adjustment for them to leave the comfort of their home and be back in the classroom. We are all in this together and remind them that all the students will be feeling the same way.
Some general ideas to remember about anxiety, it thrives in uncertainty. It can bring on a feeling of lack of control over the situation we find ourselves in. All of us are feeling this in some way right now. We need to remember to take it one day at a time and help our children to look for the positives. In other words, finding something great for them to look forward to the next day and make that a priority. Take some time to check in with yourself about your own anxiety about the new school year. Your children will look to you for the lead on how to handle the situation. Additionally, take time to practice some self-care for yourself and do not lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of motherhood. Above all, remember, You Can Do Hard Things!!!
