Raising kids takes a village… we all know that. This time of year though, that is especially true. Back to school can be a challenge no matter what, but for some kids the change in routine, the fear of the unknown and the stress of the what could lie ahead of them can be even more stressful.
In our classes we talk about back to school tips- making friends, bully proofing ourselves, and setting up routines. For a lot of our children, these are tips that need to be discussed on a regular basis to remind them of ways to set themselves up for success. And grownups, be prepared for big emotions and meltdowns over the next couple of weeks!
Your children are going to be going through some changes. You and your family are trying to get back into a routine that you had before summer started. Changes in routines are difficult for many of our children and they often lack the emotion regulation skills and the communication skills to simply tell you that they are overwhelmed. They need to navigate a whole social world, their brains are going to be challenged being back in the classroom, and they may be getting up earlier than they have had to for a long time. We as parents are going to be stressed too: juggling the school morning routines and after-school hustle!
How do we help our children and our families from not completely losing our sanity?
Routines are super important to set and keep. We talk about setting an after-school routine- snacks, homework, activities, dinner, and bedtime routines- all very important to establish and stick to. Children tend to do better if they know what to expect daily so a written out daily plan on the refrigerator is always a bonus.
Healthy snacks are also very important- we need to make sure we are fueling our little ones’ bodies and minds. Encourage a healthy after-school snack to fuel them through homework and their after-school activities.
We are amping up our Bully Proofing as well. We discuss how to make friends with our students. This is something we will continue to discuss over the next month as kids may be socializing with new kids they have never met before. If your child specifically is having problems though, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can work directly with your child immediately.
Exercise is a great stress reliever too- when you are seeing your child stressed, come drop them off with us and you know we will get them sweating and smiling in no time!
Most importantly grownups- we are here for you and your child. Our team spends a lot of time discussing each and every one of your children- progress, areas we see that need development, and overall just our genuine love and caring for your child.
Please use us as a resource, as it truly takes a village.