Beating Back the Back to School Blues

Do you remember how awful it was, every year when the leaves started turning and it was time to trudge back to school.  Think about how great it felt when school let out for the summer and think about how down you were when it started again, and you’ll figure out how your kids are looking forward to the coming school year!

If you are a parent with a school age kid, you may be wondering what you can do to blunt those negative feelings.  Check out some of these great ideas for curing those persistent back to school blues and making sure that you get peace you need.

1. Get your kids back on a school schedule a few weeks before school starts. What time will they need to fall asleep on a school night?  Whatever it is, put them to bed at that point.  You may hear a little bit of complaining, but it will make the transition a lot easier.

2. Be a good listener. The truth of the matter is that school is stressful and your kid is going to have some concerns.  When you are listening, put yourself in their place.  Do you remember what it was like being in their situation?  Talk with them, offer them strategies and let them know that you have been through it too.

3. You and your kid can get familiar with the school early. If you are allowed to, take your kid on a tour of the school and the class room that he or she is going to be at.  If possible, introduce your kid to their new teacher and take them through the library, the restrooms and the cafeteria where they will be spending their time.

4. Practice makes perfect! A few days before school, get started showing them what the before school rituals are going to be.  Show them how to put everything out the night before, from clothes to supplies and you will find that gets the morning routine cemented in their heads.

5. Take some time to make them a place to study. This can be the place that they leave their backpack and their school supplies and this will help keep things organized as things will be much less likely to be lost.  This can be a great place that is designed for study and work, and you can use it to keep papers and important notes.

6. Have a party! When it doubt, make it fun.  The night before school comes back in, have a special family night in, and do something special, whether it is a favorite movie or a favorite dinner and dessert.  Find out what will cheer up your kid and make them feel great.

Back to school blues can be awful, but if you take the time to really address your child’s fears, you’ll find that you and your kid will have nothing to worry about!

photo credit: busymommy