How to Make Back to School a Breeze

With kids heading back to school, you want to make routines that make the transition nice and easy for everyone. Here’s how…

It’s not easy sending the kids back to school. Yes, summer seems long and you’re all ready for the change mentally, but actually making the change can be tricky. From readjusting bedtimes to syncing work and school schedules again, this can be a difficult time.

But it doesn’t have to be. With a few routine tweaks, you can help your kids move into their new routine as you readjust yours. Back to school doesn’t have to be a hassle if you approach it right. Here are some things that will make the process a breeze…

 

 

How to Make Back to School a Breeze

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Let the kids choose their supplies

Kids like having agency and one of the ways you can give it to them is by letting them pick out their new school supplies. Not only does this make them feel more in control of the change they are about to embark upon, it also gets them excited to use all that new stuff. Getting them excited for the perfect color binder covered in unique stickers they chose will make them forget that said binder will be filled with lots of homework and notes soon enough.

 

Set out their clothes the night before

Mornings can be beastly when you first send the kids back to school. One of the most trying times is waking up. Take one battle off the table by helping your child pick out their next day outfit the night before. Set everything out for easy dressing, down to socks, shoes, and underwear. This way, their sleepy self doesn’t spend all morning staring undecidedly at the closet, making everyone late.

Early bedtimes make better mornings

They might not like it, but earlier bedtimes will make mornings easier. Getting enough sleep will make wake-ups less contentious and it will also free up some evening time for you to relax before the new day dawns. Start the kids a week or so ahead of time, having them get ready for bed 15 minutes earlier every few days. Soon the wild nights of summer will be replaced with a more moderate sleep time for fall. Trust me, your morning self will thank you. Read more on ways to improve your mornings here.

 

Start the day with a planned breakfast

If you’re a working parent, chances are you have to get yourself ready in the morning as well. You probably don’t have time for homemade quiche with fresh-out-of-the-oven croissants. Save yourself the hassle of cooking on a busy morning (or relying on cereal 5 days a week) and pre-make breakfast. Our go-to is muffins and pancakes that are frozen and placed in the fridge the night before to defrost. Also, cut fruit done the night before. Or eggs made that morning, but only because they’re fast. Read more about freezable breakfasts here.

Say a prayer at drop-off

If sending your child to school gives you anxiety, or maybe your child is having some of their own because of a new school, new friends, etc. then say a prayer. Before they hop out of the car, or leave for the bus stop, spend a moment linking hands and asking for wisdom, comfort, and safety for your little school-goer. Read more about school time prayers here.

 

Have an afternoon snack waiting

I know that when my kids came home from school, lunch had been a long time ago. They were always famished. So if you are home when they get home, have a snack set out. It can be something simple, like a bowl of popcorn, or a little more involved, like a tray of cut fruit, veggies, and dip. Whatever you choose, let the kids eat something and decompress. Going back to school can really switch up their eating patterns and avoiding hangry children is to everyone’s benefit. If you’re still at work when they get home, pick a snack that can sit out from when you leave until they get home. Read more about great after-school snacks here.

Create a paper system

Paper is the gift that keeps on giving when kids go back to school. And it’s a gift you never wanted. Suddenly, your house is inundated with tons of papers, especially if your kids have multiple teachers. Set up a system beforehand for handling all that paper. I used a basic mail holder with slots to sort each school-age child’s papers into. That way, we could always find what we needed. And at the end of the week, it was easy to purge the unnecessary papers. This method worked so much better than hunting for long-gone permission slips that were left on the table, never to be seen again.

Keep dinner easy

After a long day, you may not be interested in being Rachel Ray. Instead, make back to school easier on you and your hungry children by having a pre-made meal ready to heat. This can be a freezer meal or something you prepped over the weekend. But doing this will make getting dinner onto the table quicker and easier. If you don’t have anything prepped, at least create a meal plan for the week so that you don’t have to make a decision when you’re already tired and hungry. Preparation is your friend at the end of a long day. Read more on meal planning here.

Make time for family time

At the end of the day, make some time to connect with your kids and spouse. Everyone has no doubt had an exciting and action-packed day, but reminding everyone of the fun you had together over the summer is the perfect way to end the day. This might mean a family TV show or movie. Maybe it’s a shared dessert, like an ice cream sundae bar. Or it could be like us, doing a nightly read-aloud before bed. Reconnecting the family is a great way to make the changes that come with back to school less dramatic and much easier on you and your family.

 

I hope these suggestions make the back to school season a breeze for your family. Change is always tricky and navigating it with grace and preparation can make it that much easier. Good luck and happy school year!

 

Looking for more on back to school? Check out these posts:

Back to School Online Resources for all Ages

10 Tips for Having a Productive School Year

Going Back to School as a Stay-at-Home Parent: Tips and Resources

10 Things to do Before You Start Homeschooling

 

 

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