Essential Tips for Back to School Success

So we have officially survived the summer, and back to school is right around the corner. For my family, it has already started because the world hates us and we started super early this year.

While I am excited for my now third grader’s return to school so that my sanity can return in small doses, back to school brings its own bout of stress. How are we handling that stress?

Very, very carefully.

Seriously though, with three kids, two of whom are under 4, school starting brings its own unique kind of fear to my life. To combat such fears, I have implemented certain tips or strategies, to make my, and my third graders, lives easier.

Build Excitement with School Supplies

Some kids are more than happy to go back to school at the end of summer. Other children, like mine, fight it with everything in their being.

Just before school starts, nerves hit. The unknown of a new school year sets in and that in and of itself can make your baby want to run for the hills. School supply shopping is often how I begin to combat these nerves. A week or so before school starts, we go shopping for supplies. I allow my child to pick out as many unique supplies as her list allows. Finding her style in folders, pencils, and backpacks gives my child confidence like you would not believe.

Yes, it may cost an extra couple of dollars, but for the extra skip in her step on that first day, I will totally take it.

Take Advantage of Back to School Night

While I know that none of you momma’s out there are looking for one more thing to do, back-to-school night really is a must.

Nervous of new teachers, new classrooms, new friends. Guess what can smother them all? A well-planned back-to-school night. Your child has the opportunity to see their new classroom, meet their new teacher, and even reunite with old friends. Even just a 20-minute pop-in can make a world of difference in getting your child’s year started off on the right foot.

Not only will it calm your child’s nerves, but it also will give you a better idea of the adult who will be responsible for helping to shape your child over the next academic year. Your child’s teacher will have the job of shaping the mind of your most precious child over the next year, and they will be paid far less than they should be to do so. Taking this opportunity to let your child participate in back-to-school night not only helps your child. It also helps their teacher by having one less child on the first day who does not yet know their name or face. It is worth it, I promise.

Get Organized Early

With the coming of back to school also means the coming of all things Fall extracurricular. For me, this means balancing Girl Scouts, Cheerleading, and 4-H on top of our usual activities. Sounds fun right?

This being said, I suggest getting onto the task of organizing your mom’s life and doing it quickly. This will not only help you to keep from losing your shit among the million activities your kid thinks that they need to participate in, but it will also keep your child’s sanity in check too. Nothing screams stressing a child like a kiddo who is late for practice.

Make the Tough Decisions Ahead of Time

What to wear for the first day? How are we going to do your hair? Are you going to go by your nickname or full name this year? Packing your lunch or eating at school? These questions and many more are ones that have hit my household on the first morning of school in the past, but not this year!

Taking the time to sit down with your child, even if it is for 15 minutes the night before school starts, and helping them to work through the answers to these questions can make a world of difference. I have found that taking out the crazy of making all of these decisions the first day of school often means more confidence and a happier child for the first day of school. (Plus, it helps to ensure that you are out the door on time and are not late for the first day. Not that I have done that before or anything…)

What tips do you have for preparing your child for the first day of school? Anything of these that you do with your kids? Let me know in the comments below!