Getting Back In The School Groove

by Kristy Como Armand

Getting back in the school routine is a challenge—for both children and parents. Parenting experts say the best way to make a smooth transition from summer to school is to prepare ahead of time.

Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, CEAP, LPC-S, LMFT, president of Solutions Counseling & EAP, says there are simple things parents can do to alleviate the stress and anxiety that can accompany the start of the new school year, whether their child is heading to school for the first time, attending a new school or is a seasoned veteran of the back-to-school drill.

Forbess-McCorquodale says it’s important to establish guidelines for the school year well ahead of time. “Routines help define days, structure our time and provide the sense of order everyone craves in our fast-paced world. Take the time before school starts to organize your thoughts and plans for the upcoming year; then discuss the plan with your children. Whenever possible, give them a voice in the decisions you are making. Let them be a part of the process of establishing rules and guidelines but hold them accountable for the commitments they make. For example, homework time. They may want to come home and relax for an hour before beginning their homework. There’s nothing wrong with allowing them to do this, but adults should set the time for them to start. Kids respond better when they feel respected and holding them accountable teaches them responsibility.

Forbess-McCorquodale offers parents these additional suggestions to minimize some common back-to-school problems:

· Start easing back into the school schedule a week or so before the first day by practicing your morning schedule. Move up your child’s waking time gradually each morning. This will make them more tired so you can get them to bed earlier. Track how long it takes them to get up, get dressed, eat breakfast and head out the door. This will help you and them plan ahead for the wake-up time you need to set to avoid hectic mornings.

· Discuss and decide what responsibilities children will have each morning before they leave and each afternoon when they return.

· With school uniform guidelines in effect, clothing choices are a little less complicated, but parents should go over the child’s options and make sure they know what they can and can’t wear to school. Once school starts, have your children put their clothes out in the evening for the next day, saving valuable time in the morning.

· Make after-school arrangements and emergency plans. Explain the routine to your child. If they will be staying at home alone, establish clear guidelines for what you expect regarding their responsibilities and activities until you return.

· Homework rules should also be established before the start of school. Designate a space in your home specifically for doing homework. For younger children, it may be better if this space is not in their room where there are often too many distractions.

· Designate a “school gear” area where children can keep their school bag and any other items such as a jacket or sports bag they need to take with them each morning. They should get everything packed and ready the night before to eliminate those frantic searches in the morning.

“Once school is underway, routines may need to be re-evaluated and adjusted as school activities begin or if schedules change,” says Forbess-McCorquodale. “But talking and planning with your children before school starts will help you get the new school year off on the right track.”

For any type of family counseling need, call Solutions Counseling & EAP at (337) 310-2822 to schedule an appointment.