This post was originally written for the Help Club for Moms group, but I thought I’d share it with you as well!
Starting the new school year can be a little crazy if you are a ‘fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants’ or overly laid back person like me. Lots of rushing, perhaps some yelling, maybe tears, and forgetting important things (like lunch) have all been a part of our mornings because we had no systems or routines.
So, here are some changes I’m making this year to start the school year strong.
1. PRACTICE your Morning Routine.
If you want to prevent a super stressful first day of school, begin your ‘back-to-school’ routine a few days beforehand. Slowly start going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. In the morning, “play” like you are going to school. Work out the kinks and see how long it takes everyone to get ready. Mom tip: Take the kids to the park when everyone gets ready on time!
2. Prep the Night Before
Have your children get in the habit of prepping for school the night before:
- Clothes laid out?
- Ipads charging?
- Backpacks and shoes by the door?
3. Get out the calendar
Whether you use a paper calendar (like me) or a digital one, take time to add activities right away – school breaks, conferences, parent-teacher night, and even testing dates. Put important dates on the calendar NOW, so you have time to plan ahead.
4. Email the teacher
As soon as you get the teacher’s email address – send him or her a short and quick note, letting them know how thankful you are that he/she will be investing in your child this year!
The benefit of this is two-fold:
– You establish a positive relationship from the beginning.
– The teacher’s email is now in your contacts, so when you need to email the teacher during the school year, you aren’t scrambling to find the paper that contains the email address.
5. Set the Tone
You set the tone for the attitudes in your home. If you keep a positive attitude, it’s more likely that your child will as well. Focus on the positive and share what you are excited about regarding the new school year. If your child is feeling stressed or anxious, listen to them and pray with them. Remind them that you are available, and God is always with them.
Hope those tips will help you this year! Praying this year is a great one for you and your children.
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