Going back to school after a long summer break can be exciting for some kids and intimidating for others. There are many ways in which a child needs to be prepared to go back to school. The whole point is to mentally as well as physically prepare your kid in a way that he or she should ideally look forward to starting a new school year and wait with bated breath for the first day of school; while you count the days until you finally have time for yourself again!

Buying the right things and brushing through school textbooks are some obvious things one can do. However, there are some more (subtle) ways in which you can ease the transition back to school for your kids:
1. Start a Calendar Countdown
About 3 weeks before the school resumes, start a countdown with your kids on a family calendar that you can hang up in the kitchen or the kid’s bedroom. Ask your kids to color in each day that goes by and count the days down until school begins again. This will mentally prepare them for the transition ever so gently.

2. Practice Their Routine
About two weeks before school starts, change your kids’ bedtimes to what they would ideally be on school days. Set a fixed bedtime and wake up time on weekdays and weekends and slowly begin to cut down on TV and video-game time. By the time school starts, they will have already become accustomed to the routine, thus making the transition easier for them (and for you).

3. Take a Tour of the School Campus
Taking a tour of the school campus ahead of time is always a great idea. Kids can see their new classsrooms, playgrounds, and libraries, and familiarize themselves with the campus (in case it’s a new one or a new wing in the old one). This significantly reduces anxiety and nerves as they know what to expect on the first day.

4. Meet the New Teacher
If it is possible, try to meet with the new teacher and get to know him/her. It will put your mind at ease as a parent and will also give your kids something to look forward to.

5. Make a Back to School Checklist
Acquire the list of materials that the school expects your child to be equipped with on the first day. To this list, add your own items (backpack, lunchbox, water bottle, etc.) to create a complete back to school list. Have a sit down with your kids and brainstorm every possible thing you can think of that they will need for the new school year.
Don’t stop here. Make a to-do list as well. Include shopping for school supplies, stocking up the fridge with healthy snacks, ordering uniforms, etc.

6. Do More Than One Round of Back to School Shopping
Back to school shopping can be downright overwhelming. Try to organize it in a way that you can make 2 or 3 separate trips, each time tackling a different aspect of the “list.” Breaking this task down into parts will make it easier and less stressful. You will also be able to give more time and attention to each trip, thus enabling you to make more efficient and economic decisions. Shopping online can also significantly reduce the pressure on you.

7. Allow Kids to Choose a Yearly Planner
Back to school shopping can be downright overwhelming. Try to organize it in a way that you can make 2 or 3 separate trips, each time tackling a different aspect of the “list.” Breaking this task down into parts will make it easier and less stressful. You will also be able to give more time and attention to each trip, thus enabling you to make more efficient and economic decisions.
You can make an activity out of going through the planner and coloring in all the holidays ahead of time. You could even pencil in a family vacation to the destination of their choice, halfway through the school year.

8. Set Your Clocks Forward 15 Minutes
School mornings are the craziest part of the day. It is not uncommon for ten things to go wrong just as the bus is pulling up. Setting all the clocks in your house 15 minutes early will give you a safe buffer in case something goes wrong in the morning. It will also ensure that kids reach school on time every day.
Of course, you can’t tell your kids that the clocks are wrong. It can be your little secret!

Whatever happens, don’t panic. The worst that can happen is that your kids will be late to school or will show up with one thing missing. Either way, you have tomorrow to start over and do it better. Planning in advance is your best bet – so start now!

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