Back to school season is upon us and with that comes stress, stress, and more stress. Between back-to-school clothes shopping, ensuring that you have the correct supply list, calming nervous kiddos down, getting everyone back on a schedule, navigating between your own work/life schedule and your child’s changing schedule. AHHHHHH! How do you keep your sanity? Without becoming an alcoholic…
Start early!
Begin speaking about school and what to expect about 3-4 weeks prior to the school year starting. Ask your children if there is a peer that they are excited to see. Find out who their teacher is and what students are in the class and let your kids know. The biggest way to alleviate stress and anxiety is to be knowledgeable.
Make back-to-school shopping fun – for your kids. Even if you don’t have a lot to spend, make it an adventure. Head to the local thrift stores and see what kind of fun stuff your kids can find (believe it or not, there are some real treasures to be found). Make a day of it. Grab lunch together. Be present with your children – it is the greatest gift you can give them.
Start regulating their sleep 3-4 weeks before school starts as well. This won’t be fun, but it will be worth it. Make them get up 30-60 minutes early each week until you hit your school morning wake up time.
Remember to take care of yourself, too. Find yourself a little something on that shopping trip; try and go to bed earlier, too; meditate for 5 minutes before you must wake your sleeping angels.
You are not alone – this is a trying time for all families, and we are all in this together. Phone a friend and vent – and let them vent, too. Christmas break will be here before you know it.