Back to School Stress
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2010
Back to School time can be harder on you than your kids, so get
ready for the stress! You have probably enjoyed a little more time
for yourself during the summer, not having to be here or there, but
that will soon change. Start preparing now for the transition so
that you and your family can adjust to the new school schedule and
routine.
·
Visit New Places Now
Don’t wait until school starts to make a visit. Check it out now.
Meet school administrators and any staff who are available while
they have more time to chat. This will help you to know what is
expected and will give your child a visual picture of the new school
and where they’ll be spending their day. This will boost their
confidence in finding their way around, but will also help you
assist them in problem-solving since you’ve been there yourself. It
will also motivate you to become more involved in the school and
parent advisory activities and to engage the support of your
company, all of which will benefit the school and your child. Also
take time to travel new bus routes and view after school programs
and recreational sites. Visit them now so you know where they are,
how they’re laid out, and who you and your child will be working
with this year.
·
Don’t Shop ‘Til You Drop
More isn’t necessarily better, so don’t feel compelled to buy every
item your child asks for. Once you visit the school, you’ll know
exactly what the dress code is and what supplies are mandatory so
let this guide your purchase decisions and the amount of cash you
dole out for shopping. It may make you and your child feel special
to have all the latest technology and gadgets, but rethink this if
you’re going to be in debt when the credit card bills start rolling
in. Your stress and misery will affect your child eventually, so be
smart and spare yourself and the family this grief. It IS
okay to set limits and to say “no.”
·
Start Easing Into Your New Time Schedule
Don’t wait until the first day of school to get on your new time
schedule. Start easing into it a few days to a week ahead. Your kids
have been used to staying up late because they don’t have anywhere
to be early in the morning, and you haven’t been tied as tightly
into mealtime, grocery shopping, laundry, and other routines because
of the more relaxed summer schedule. Start ramping up. This will
help you determine where you may need to make adjustments. And take
time to chat with your boss. He or she may not have school-aged
children and may not have the start of school on their radar screen.
You may be able to take advantage of flex time to adjust to the way
your child’s schedule will be this year, or you may need to make
other arrangements. And since you will have learned what day and
time key parent meetings take place at the school, this is a great
time to discuss the importance of your involvement and how both you
and the company can become involved in the school without
compromising your workload. This will help your boss see that it’s a
win-win for you, your child, the school, the company, and the
community overall!
Back to School season is a stressful time of year. But you can
manage these pressures with greater ease and success if you prepare
for the new places and routines that will be heaped upon you once
your children return to school.
