Ring the Bell! 9 Tips to Make the Back-to-School Transition Easier. Plus a *GIVEAWAY* 2

It’s here. The most wonderful time of the year, or not.  Which is it? Back-to-school is upon us, bringing back early mornings and routine, homework and sports, carpools and music lessons, which may or may not be a welcome sigh of relief. Depending on who you ask, this time of year can be a mom’s happy dance or a tear- stained sad face.

“Fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, books and pens”

– The White Stripes “We’re Going to be Friends”

 The transition for most families can be a little rough in the beginning.  Out of my 4 kids not a single one of them is ready to go back,  and if I’m completely honest with myself, I don’t think I’m ready for the change either.  When I was a mother of young kids, I couldn’t wait for my kids to get back on the big yellow bus and have a few hours of peace and quiet to myself.  But my kids are getting older and we’re able to enjoy each others company so much more, and for that reason I’m dreading back-to-school!

“Walk with me, Suzy Lee
through the park and by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we found”

– The White Stripes “We’re Going to be Friends”

To make the transition a little smoother this year, we’ve provided you with a few tips and some ‘homework’ of your own before the big day.

• One week before school starts, get your kids used to an earlier/school-night bedtime.
• Communicate what’s expected in the after school hours BEFORE the first day.  Is homework first?  An after school treat? Music lesson or dance class?  Are they coming home to an empty house or a sitter?
•  Prepare clothes the night before for the first couple of days, at least.  AND don’t forget to round up those dang shoes.
• Get back into the reading habit!
• Make sure your child’s transportation is sorted before the first day and that your child knows where and when to meet the bus or carpool.
• Breakfast breakfast breakfast!  Hungry tummies make for hangry kids.  Protein packed meals will keep those tummies full until lunch.
• Don’t forget to pack a lunch the NIGHT BEFORE or set aside money for school lunch.
• Try to keep the tablets and smart phones away in the mornings.  In my house, when my kids are completely done getting ready, they can watch the news or read until it’s time to load the bus. Hahaha.  Are they ever really ready?
• Communicate.  Any concern or fear your child may have, console them and let them know their day is going to be okay.  Change is always tough, a new grade older can be rough, and different friends can be scary.  Remember when you were going to school?  Those feelings flood back to me every fall, so be sure to hug those little bodies and reassure those little faces.

“Numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall”

– The White Stripes “We’re Going to be Friends”

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