The clock is ticking, summer vacation is quickly coming to an end, and the back-to-school supplies are already surfacing everywhere you turn. Long, lazy days in the sun, quick sprints through the sprinkler, and that endless wait for the ice cream truck will have to be put on hold yet again for another 10 months, as will the daily swimwear and flip flops attire.
The calendar may indicate it’s time to get in the mood for the first day of school, but that doesn’t mean your child will agree.
I’m pretty sure there isn’t a single school-aged child is applauding the end of their break from the school year grind, and hey, who can blame them? There are a few ways to get them in that back-to-school mood to make day one slightly less painful, though, if you can believe it.
1. Switch up routines a week in advance
I get it, bedtimes get pushed back in the summer thanks to the fact that the sun is out later and no one is going to have to worry about missing the bus in the morning. But to suddenly expect your child to go to bed early again, one night before the first day of school, is pretty much asking for a “but I don’t wannaaaa” meltdown. Switch up your bedtime routine a week in advance. Have your child resume their school year bedtime sooner rather than later, to avoid the drama.
This routine change also applies to the morning. It means waking them up at the time you’ll need your kiddos to spring out of bed on school days. Waiting until the last minute will make for a very cranky student, so prepare their little body clocks by easing them in to their new routine.
2. Make the most of afternoon summer storms…
…In front of the TV, of course! There is nothing like getting back into the school mindset like watching back-to-school themed movies! This technique also serves to keep your kids entertained on those rainy afternoons where everyone is bored. My favorite back-to-school movies for stirring up the classroom excitement?
School of Rock
High School Musical
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Grab some popcorn, cozy up with your little learners while you still have them home to hang with, and enjoy some of the best school movies around!
3. Reconnect with school friends
So a few weeks have passed since your child has had their last playdate with a school friend? That’s okay! Pick a few friends from your students’ class list and arrange a get-together. Having the kids reconnect over a fun activity like time at the park or the pool will stir up their excitement to see one another in the classroom, and could very well turn your child’s end-of-summer frown upside down!
4. Get organized, together!
Going back to school means a little extra work at home for the parents, too. Stocking up on school supplies, getting a new fall wardrobe ready, and even getting ready to start preparing lunches again will become a new reality before you know it. Allow your child to be a part of this process with you to not only give them a sense of responsibility, but give them the opportunity to dictate what will make their upcoming school year the most exciting for them. Plan a lunch calendar together of things they actually want to eat, versus risking them coming home extra-hungry in the afternoon. Let them label and pack their new school supplies in the way that they choose, so they can walk a little more proudly into their new classroom this school year.
5. Get musical
My daughter and I have our best moments in the car, bonding over the songs we both love to listen to, belting them out in traffic, and getting reenergized following the morning rush to get out of the house. Create a fun, energetic playlist for you and your children to listen to in the car if you drive them to school, and don’t forget to put their favorites on the list, not just yours (my daughter is still not a fan of my old school 90’s hip-hop playlist).
Have a great school year!