Let’s Talk Parenting: Preparing for the Back-to-School Transition
The back-to-school transition can stir up a range of emotions for both parents and children. Excitement and anxiety often go hand in hand as new teachers, new classmates, and new routines replace the relaxed rhythm of summer schedules. Fortunately, a little preparation can make this transition easier, reduce stress, and help everyone embrace the fresh opportunities ahead. Whether it’s a return to familiar hallways or a first-ever first day,this school year is a chance to begin a new, exciting chapter! Here are some tips to try, based on the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program.
Talk about school. Start having casual conversations about the new school year. Ask your kids what they’re looking forward to, which friends they’ll be happy to see, and what they’re excited to learn. If your kids express fear or worries, encourage them to talk about why they feel that way. Listen, and reassure them that a lot of kids feel nervous or anxious about starting school. Let them know that sometimes the feeling goes away when school starts, and other times, kids need support to learn ways to handle their feelings. Let them know you’re available to talk and offer support any time.
Re-establish your family rules. Talk with your children and acknowledge that summertime was a fun “break” from the family rules, and now it’s time to get back into your usual routines. Take small, steady steps to re-establish the rules. This helps prevent power struggles and gives your kids plenty of time to adjust before school starts. For example, gradually reduce the amount of screen time they get each day so that by the time school starts, following the family rule about screen time limits doesn’t feel like a sudden or drastic change.
Practice your morning and evening routines. Talk with your kids about the steps to get ready for school – get up, eat breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed, etc. If they’ve been sleeping in during the summer, have them get up a little earlier each morning and go through their routine, beginning at least a week before school starts. Give descriptive praise when they follow the steps of their routines independently– “Nice job getting yourself up and dressed this morning!” Do the same with bedtime routines. Prepare your children by talking with them about their weeknight bedtime and the steps of their evening routine – brush teeth, pajamas, read, hugs/cuddles, etc. If they’ve been staying up late during the summer, have them start their evening routine a little earlier each night, beginning at least a week before school starts.
Continue spending quality time together. Transitioning back to the structured school routine might be hard no matter how much you’ve planned ahead or prepared your kids. Spending quality time together makes children feel safe, secure, and loved, which can help make difficult transitions and big emotions a little easier for them (and you) to manage.
Final Thoughts: Even children who love school can have a hard time transitioning from summer time to school time. Taking small steps now to prepare children for the transition will help them enjoy enjoy left of the summer and be ready to start the new school year with a positive attitude and eagerness to learn.
This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned, scientifically proven Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County with children ages birth to 16, including children with special needs.Triple P is available locally, thanks to a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Behavioral Health Services Act), and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a TripleP parenting class or practitioner, http://triplep.first5scc.org or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at (831) 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.
If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email triplep@first5scc.org. Follow @triplepscc on Facebook and @triplepsantacruz on Instagram
