5 Simple tips to make going back to school easier

Hard to believe but I have been doing the back to school routine now for over 11 years This year Maxi will be going into year 11 (his GCSE year) and Mini into Year 10. After all these years being a school mum I have some excellent tips that make the back to school routine easier for all involved.

After all these years being a school mum I have some excellent tips that make the back to school routine easier for all involved.

There is always going to be a period of transition and settling back in for any family when it comes to getting back into the habit of school. However, this year is going to be more challenging than most with the long period of lockdown home education we have experienced.

Now, these might not be the typical back to school hacks you have been expecting, but these are the ones that make the biggest difference in my household.

So anything that I can do now, to make the first couple of weeks back as easy as possible then I am all for it. Now, these might not be the typical back to school hacks you have been expecting, but these are the ones that make the biggest difference in my household.

Back to School Tips

Establish Routines and Expectations

This is key for kids of all ages. The plan is to empower them to do as much as possible and to set clear expectations of what is required. For younger children a checklist helps – One on their door and also one on their school bag. Not only are you nurturing independence you are teaching them valuable skills.

This also works for you. I know that I will initially be at a loss without my boys home. Heck, five months is a long time, so I will make sure I have a routine for me too.

Do as much as possible the night before

This applies to you and the children. I have always made sure the boys have their uniform prepared and bag packed the night before. I am so not a morning person, however, Maxi is, so he does his homework on a morning rather than the night before

Accept that Things Might Change

I have a feeling that this school year is going to bring rather a lot of change, for our children and for us too. Be prepared for it and do not fight it. The more accepting of change we are, the easier our children will be to embrace it.

Food and drink

If your children are anything like mine then food is king and they have been eating me out of house and home, so that back to school schedule is going to be hard, so make sure you pack delicious healthy snacks to keep their energy levels up throughout the day and that they stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and snack on fruit at break times.

Plus make sure you have a healthy snack ready for them when they get home otherwise they will just grab what they can.

How to handle back to school like a pro and avoid the grouchy child, grouchy parent trap

Make it fun

Yes, this is the most important one – make getting up for school that first day back fun. Have a special breakfast (we do this every Monday) as an incentive to get up.

Say yes to going to the park after school – let them run off some energy as they will have been holding in in all day at school.