Schools in Session: Tips and Insights Going into a New School Year
As the hot days of summer start to come to an end, parents all over the country begin their preparation to get kids ready and prepped to begin a new school year. Here are some tips to help start the new school year with less stress and manageable expectations.
Create a routine. When there is any change for a child, it is helpful to create some consistency. Starting a new school year, whether the child is returning to their same school, or a new school is full of anxiety and change. Prior to school beginning, focus on working to get your child back into a structured routine. This may include setting a bedtime, restricting television/electronics time, and creating expectations about how the routine will work during the school year. Once school begins, consider adding dedicated time for homework and extracurricular activities. Ensuring that your child has consistency at home will assist in the back-to-school change.
Review your parenting agreement. If you have a parenting agreement between you and your coparent, ensure that you are reviewing the terms in advance of the school year starting. This refresher can provide insight into schedules that each party is expected to follow and can also provide guidance for expectations for each parent, such as responsibility for transportation to school and activities, information sharing between parents and the school, and notice requirements for any absences. Reviewing these agreements can further assist in setting the routine for yourself and your child.
Be patient. Going back to school, especially the first two weeks of the new year, can be a stressful and emotional time for a child. Remember that your children look to you for clues and emotional reactions. Try to remain calm if your child acts out emotionally, they are processing a lot of change and emotion. If you are parents of teenage children, try to remember how much the social aspect of school affected your own sense of self and be a sounding board if your child needs to vent their feelings.
Grab those sales. The fun part of this time of year is the endless “back-to-school” sales at all the local stores. Take advantage of those sales and stock up for the year, but also grab the extra crayons, glue and paper for home arts and crafts project. Involve your child in the shopping, let them have some decision making in their lunchbox or the color of their pencil box. Giving the child some decision-making helps give them a sense of ownership in the process.
Be available. As the family routine shifts back to a school year versus summer routine, make sure to take the time to spend some quality time with your child. Ask them how their day went, find out details about their teacher from them, or who they sit with at lunch. Be available so your child knows you are there to hear about their day, even if you can only spare 10 minute on a break from a work call – take the time to listen.
Reach out to Third Parties. There are multiple third parties that can be resources for advice and assistance in the transition back into school. Other parents in your child’s classroom are a good connection to exchange tips. Healthcare professionals are another great resource for any child of any age struggling with a new school year. If your child has difficulty transitions back into school and the problems persist, do not hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional regarding their behavior. The Law Office of Erin Wilson LLC is available to offer referrals for therapists or other healthcare providers that may assist your child in the transition back into school.
Do not let your issues become their issues. If you are co-parenting with a former partner heading into a new school year, don’t let any differences the adults may have about back-to-school become an issue for the child. Children pick up on the tension between adults and taking on that extra tension while adjusting to a new school year is not best for your child. Make sure that if you and the other parent disagree, the child does not hear arguments, see angry text and/or email exchanges, and do not ask your child to “choose” which parent is right. If you disagree about something with school, find a way to discuss it rationally with each other or a third party neutral, such as a mediator or parenting coordinator if necessary. Do not let your burdens of co-parenting become the burdens of your child.
If you are facing bigger issues on parenting differences, or there are disagreements regarding where your child will attend school or the absence of a parenting agreement, The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson, LLC has extensive experience navigating such issues. Contact us for a consultation regarding your divorce or parentage matter today.
NOTICE: This blog is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as providing legal advice. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding this blog post.