After School Game Plan

Making an after-school game plan can help the back to school transition run more smoothly. Sit down as a family to discuss whether kids will be taking the bus, walking, or carpooling, where they will be going after school (home, a friend’s house, daycare, after school activities, etc.), and who they will be going home with (parent, babysitter/nanny, or a friend’s mom). Give your kids a detailed breakdown of what they need to do and who to contact if they forget the plan or get confused. A great way to help your kids with the after-school game plan is to write down the plan, as well as names and phone numbers of trusted adults on a note card. 

Once you have the down logistics of where to go, what to do, and who to go with, work together as a family to create after school rules. Talk about when and where homework will be completed, how much screen time is allowed during school nights, and when free time is over. 

By going over the after-school game plan and rules ahead of time, it will be much easier for both you and your kids to get used to the new routine. Including your kids in the discussion and planning can also help them feel more comfortable and invested in the plan!

We hope the tips we’ve shared throughout the past week will help you have a great back to school transition!

Prepare Your Child for Changes

The start of the new school year brings many changes, such as starting school for the first time, moving to a new school, starting a new grade, or transitioning into middle or high school. These changes can feel big and scary for many kids, creating anxiety about starting the new school year. This is completely normal. A great way to help your child cope with this anxiety and feel prepared for the school year is to talk to them about any changes they might experience!

Encourage your child to ask any questions they may have about the changes for the upcoming school year. Allow them to express their fears, anxiety, and/or excitement about the school year and recognize and normalize their feelings. You can even reach out to your child’s teacher to ask about expectations and get suggestions to help your child feel more prepared. 

Change is hard, but by opening up a conversation about your child’s fears and worries, you can work together to find ways to feel prepared and ease their anxiety!

Ask Your Kids How They’re Feeling

The back to school transition can be filled with both excitement and anxiety for your kids. When getting ready to start the new school year, it’s important to ask your child how they’re feeling about going back to school. Let them know that you are available to listen and care about their feelings. 

If your child is experiencing anxiety about going back to school, listen and empathize with their feelings. By acknowledging your child’s feelings, you are showing them that you are a source of support. Talking to your child about the back to school transition so that they know what to expect can also help ease their anxiety. 

Another way to help prepare your child for the start of the school year is to talk about the things they are looking forward to. This can help shift their perspective and focus on more positive and exciting aspects about going back to school. 

Avoid Over-scheduling

With the many different schedules and commitments of each family member, families often feel overscheduled, leading to stress and anxiety. When families are overscheduled, it can be difficult to establish consistency and keep up with expectations. Though the start of the school year brings opportunities to sign up for new and exciting activities, it is important for families to carefully consider how they would like to manage their time throughout the year. Avoid signing up for more than you can handle, and instead, focus on choosing activities and commitments that are most important to your family.

It is also important to leave room for flexibility and spontaneity in your schedule! This gives your family the freedom to go on fun and exciting adventures throughout the school year. 

Create a Structured Morning Routine

Mornings can feel crazy and rushed with all of the things that need to get done before heading out the door! However, creating a structured routine can help smooth out hectic mornings and make getting ready for the day ahead easier. Try doing some things the night before to reduce you morning to-do list, such as packing lunches and backpacks, setting out clothes and shoes, and planning breakfast. 

Create a family to-do list for weekday mornings to help your kids get ready for school! Go over tasks with your kids and be open to suggestions and reordering in a way that works best for everyone. You could even try writing down and laminating a checklist of tasks to help your kids remember what they need to do in the mornings. Keep in mind that it will take some time to adjust to a school-year morning routine, so try your best to be patient and flexible!

We’re all human and are bound to hit bumps in the road, so try not to get discouraged if there are days when everyone is feeling extra cranky and getting out the door feels impossible. Be ready to readjust your schedule when needed, and remember, all you can do is try your best!

Ease into a School Sleep Schedule

Sleep schedules often change during the summer, with kids going to bed and sleeping in later than they would during the school year. An important part of getting ready for the new school year is getting back into a school sleep schedule. However, it can be tricky to adjust sleep schedules last minute. 

To help your kids have a smooth transition into a school sleep schedule, move their bedtime earlier and have them wake up early the week before school starts. This will help you and your child feel ready for early morning routines when school begins, while ensuring that your child is well rested and ready to take on the school day!