As the summer sails by, parents’ minds are beginning to turn to the inevitable: the start of school.
Ready or not, you’ll be meeting teachers, signing permission slips and packing lunches before you know it, and the lazy days of June and July will feel like a distant memory. To help reduce the annual back-to-school stress, here are some steps you and the kids can take now to get ahead of the curve.
- Schedule your healthcare appointments. Well-child exams, sports physicals, vaccinations, dental exams, eye exams, hearing check-ups—all of the demands can be a lot to keep up with! Schedule the appointments you need now, when some healthcare providers’ offices may be slower, rather than waiting for those final days of summer.
- Plan your back-to-school shopping during the back-to-school sales tax holiday. Every year, Alabama suspends the state sales tax for one weekend in July on eligible school supplies, computers, books and clothing (the Alabama Department of Revenue shares more details on eligible items here). This year, the holiday begins July 17 at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight, Sunday, July 19. Gather the kids and make your shopping lists now, together, so you can take advantage of the savings.
- Start a donation pile. To make room for your new school clothes and supplies, go through closets and desks and box up the items you no longer wear or use. Donate what you can to a local non-profit, so other kids can get what they need in time for the new year.
- Talk openly with your child about their feelings for the year ahead. Try to set a positive tone for the return to school. Talk about the old and new friends the kids will get to see, the lessons and skills they’ll learn and the teachers they’ll meet. Be sure to ask them about what they’re looking forward to as well as what makes them feel anxious when it comes to starting school. That way, you can help them prepare in the best way you know how. If you notice concerning signs of stress and anxiety, make a note to talk to your doctor about it at your child’s next appointment.
- Have a heart-to-heart about bullying. Bullying can have a long-term impact on all parties involved—the bully, the bullied and even the witnesses. Talk to your kid in a non-judgmental way about what bullying is (including cyberbullying) and why it’s unacceptable. Encourage them to talk to you if they see someone getting bullied or if they’re experiencing it themselves. And advise them on what to do if they feel threatened. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends teaching your child to speak in a firm voice and say, “I do not like what you’re doing,” and “Please do not talk to me like that.”
- Set new goals. Every year brings new opportunities. What does your child hope to accomplish this year? Maybe they’re determined to make new friends, get involved in a club, excel at a sport or run for student government. Find out what’s important to them so you can support them in their non-academic pursuits, while also encouraging them to make good grades.
- Dial in their sleep routine. If you’ve gotten lax on the kids’ sleep schedules over the summer, start easing them back into a regular bedtime and wake-up time. The National Sleep Foundation suggests making small changes—just 10 to 15 minutes a day—until you’re back to the schedule you want. As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that children ages three to five years old should get 10 to 13 hours of sleep (including naps); kids 6 to 12 should get 9 to 12 hours; teens 13 to 17 should get eight to 10 hours; and people 18 to 60 should get seven or more hours. If the kids are having trouble falling asleep, establish a calming routine before bedtime and make sure their room is cool, dark, comfortable and free of distractions.
- Remind them about the importance of hygiene. Once school starts, so does the season of sickness. Cold, flu, pink eye, stomach bugs, all of them are fair game. Before the school bell rings, give the kids a quick refresher on the importance of handwashing and when they should do it (i.e. before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing). To make sure they’re scrubbing for a full 20 seconds, tell them to sing two full renditions of “Happy Birthday” in their head.
- Devise their lunches together. Hummus, pasta, quesadillas, fruit sandwiches, cold noodle salad, vegetarian sushi—lunch doesn’t have to be boring! Brainstorm some healthy ideas with the kids and create a lunch schedule so everyone knows what to expect. Enlist the kids to help with the shopping and prepping, too.
- Put limits on screen time. Research has shown that too much screen time can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in kids. If your kids have spent more time staring at screens over the summer, you’re certainly not alone. But as the school year approaches, it’s time to cut back. Encourage them to spend time outside, meet up with friends, play board games and read. Do what it takes to help them feel mentally sharp and ready for class.
- Review your safety routines. If your child walks or bikes to school, navigate the route with them during the summer so they know what to expect. If they ride the bus, practice standing at a safe distance as they wait for their ride. If you pick them up from school, come up with a password to use in the event that something happens and another adult has to pick them up. Remind them to be alert on their commute, whatever it may be, and not be distracted by their phones or headphones.
- Create a countdown calendar. Not only will this help your kids keep track of time, it’s also an opportunity to plan for fun. Hang a paper calendar for all to see and circle the date when school begins, along with other notable dates. Encourage the family to come up with activities and adventures for the remainder of the summer and put them on the calendar to enjoy together.
