Marsha GillWoohoo! We all know how much summer vacation means to the kiddos. It’s no secret every child loves summer vacation. What’s not to love about summer? No early wake-ups, no sitting in class for hours, no more homework, bedtimes, school demands, and expectations. So I get the excitement. Summer means they get to enjoy more free time. And they get to hang out with their friends on weekdays. Summer vacation is truly the most exciting part of every child’s year.
Just like everything else, summer vacation must come to an end. Moving from a carefree summer vacay to a demanding school routine can be challenging, especially if it comes around quickly. Switching things up suddenly on the kiddos can mean having a house full of cranky children. It’s not too late to start some back-to-school preparation to help them help you.
Here are 4 tips to minimize the sting of returning to school on your children
Adjust their sleep schedule. Wean your kids into a school-ready sleeping schedule by making them fall asleep an hour. Continue cutting back their bedtime until their sleeping patterns match the bedtime they’ll maintain throughout the school year.
Assign homework. It’s true that kids dislike homework. But it’s essential to keep their minds sharp. Keep it lighthearted. Try to assign fun homework assignments and be forgiving when it’s due. After all, it is summer vacation, and your kids deserve to spend some of their time relaxing.
Tighten curfews. If you’re like most parents, you likely extend your children’s curfews throughout the summer. A few weeks before classes begin, be stricter about when your children need to be home and which days they can go out with their friends. Allow your children to keep their summer curfew active on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday through Thursday, implement a “school-ready” curfew. This will mentally prepare your children for the new set of rules that will be in effect during the school year.
Make the change exciting. To your children, August is just the beginning of another boring school year. However, as a parent, you can’t help but marvel at the speed your babies are maturing! Help them see what you see by reminding them of all of the opportunities that will soon be available to them in the new school year.
Be Firm
Be firm about your decisions when preparing your kids for the change of going back to school. Most children are resistant when you first begin to implement these changes. However, after about a week, most children begin to accept the new routines.
Remember to consider your children’s feelings and desires when designing the routine for getting ready to return to school. Be willing to talk about it. Our kids have unique needs, and it’s important to let them know that their opinions are valuable. Be willing to give in a little, and you’ll often receive more cooperation.
By implementing these changes, you’ll prepare your children well for going back to school. When school begins, it will be less of a shock to your children, and the transition to a new daily routine will be an easier one for all.
