Back to School 2024

It is that time of year again, where we are saying good-bye to summer and stepping into the new school year. This can look so different depending on the age of your child. Some of us are helping our kids step into kindergarten, middle school, high school or even college. For us parents, all these stages are different, sometimes difficult, fun and exciting.

Here are some steps that I think can help at any age from elementary to high school.

Talk to your child about the upcoming school year. Ask questions like, what are you most excited about, concerned about, curious about and unsure about?
With some of the issues they may feel anxious, concerned, unsure and curious about, ask them how they would like to plan, problem solve or explore them.
Create a routine to help them get up in the morning and go to bed in the evening.
Create rituals of connection. Creating these rituals will help you and your child connect in a positive way and can help facilitate good communication and a positive relationship interaction.
Validate your child’s emotions and be empathic. Also remember that not all children are going to openly talk about their emotions or have the name for how they feel. When you notice or go to ask them, make sure you are not distracted. Put down the phones or whatever you may be doing and engage. Help them name the emotion or ask curious based questions instead of investigating questions. Also remember that all of our children are different. How they express and show emotions can sometimes look very opposite of how they feel. You are the expert of your child and their personality and temperament, and you will know how to connect and engage with their style of communication.
Plan for at least one family dinner and activity to do the first week back to school. Now, I know if you have active kids or teenagers this may seem more difficult to plan, however it is very important to do. There is a lot of research that supports the benefits of family dinner time. One resource I like for this is familydinnerproject.org This website not only gives out great recipes but also fun games or questions to ask at the dinner table at any development stage.
At the end of the first or second week of school, reflect with your child/children on how they think the first week or two of school went. What likes, disappointments, worries, excitements did they experience? New and old friends and any problem areas they may need your help with?

These are just seven tips that can help with the adjustment back to school. Going back to school can be stressful and exciting at the same time. What is important to remember is how to connect with your child and help them transition to make it a great school year.