Back to school, back to routines and a back-to-back to do list that can seem endless. With so much going on it can feel overwhelming to keep up with everything as a parent. Children, however, are not immune to those feelings either. As a result, another school year means new changes and some bad habits too. When it comes to managing transitions it’s important to remember that this is a group project for families and there is no such thing as a failing grade. 

We’ve all heard the saying, communication is key. Now that the whirlwind of the first few weeks are behind us, many parents and caregivers may notice different moods in their kids at this time. With added changes you may notice a little anxiety, some stress, tiredness or apprehension. But something else to consider is behavioral changes – these are totally par for the course and, usually, any disruptions will fade in time. Communicating can be a challenge but there are many ways to engage with your child and your child’s caretakers/teachers. 

What is happening? And why? Why now?

In order to effectively communicate you must first learn why these changes are happening. With new grown-ups in charge, new ways of doing things, and new responsibilities, kids need time to adjust to the routine and expectations. It can be absolutely exhausting to keep it together all day long. Focusing on their best behavior at school can lead to not-so-great behavior in the evenings.

Sometimes, once kids are back at home with you and feeling comfy is when you’ll see the worst of it. The tantrums. The bickering. The rule-breaking. The good thing is that your kid is probably not acting like that at school. But when you witness the “after-school attitude,” know that you’re not alone. 

What can I do?

A little patience goes a long way. Compassion, food, sleep, minimal scheduling and quiet time all help. There’s no harm in slacking on chores or social obligations until the adjustment period is over. Read more here. According to this author, these difficulties should work themselves out. Fingers crossed!

And, when the flurry of back-to-school dies down, there are ways to encourage your child’s good school behavior at home.

Prepare.

Read some of these books. Remind your kid what the morning routine will be. Have them lay out their clothes and backpack the night before. Discuss what breakfast will be and what time everyone will need to leave the house. Teach them how to spell their teacher’s name. Talk about what will happen after school and who will pick them up. 

Create checklists.

Checklists help us stay organized and empower kids to participate in planning their day and let them know what they can expect. Get creative! Make one for what needs to be the backpack before leaving the house. One for behavior expectations. One for the back-to-school bedtime routine.

Tip: Create these together when the child is in an agreeable mood. Don’t create these as a punishment after bad behavior.
Tip 2: Use stickers instead of checkmarks to make it fun.

Emphasize the positives.

You get to do safety patrol this year! You’ll start band! You get to play on the big playground! You’ll be using computers! You get to be a big buddy! Anything that is new and different from last year can seem exciting and should be talked about as the positive side of change.

More resources

Check out this article for more tips on making this a smooth transition… because it’s a transition for parents, too. Homework reminders. Packing lunches.

Let us know how we can help.

They say it takes a village and we consider ourselves part of your community. Whatever we can do to help, let us know. For example, does your kid need downtime after school? Or maybe they need to run around and move about freely? Are there certain behaviors you’re trying to encourage or discourage? 

As stated above, communication is key. Our doors are always open and we are willing to do what we can help. Feel free to contact us to let us know what’s going on so we can help reinforce what you’re working on at home. It takes a village…