Back-to-School Tips

Time to pack up the sand pails and load up the backpack! Heading back to school can be exciting, scary, fun – but it doesn’t have to be hard. We’ve gathered some great tips for getting your whole family organized, motivated and ready to make the most of the new school year.

1. Soothe your child’s jitters by reminding them that other kids are also a little nervous. Remind them of past “first days” that turned out to be fun. If they’ve been bullied before, teach them skills to help them stand up to the bully, like staying calm, looking the offender in the eye and saying, “Please don’t talk to me like that.” If yours is the one doing the harassing, set firm disciplinary rules (like loss of privileges) and work with school officials to establish a solution. Find more tips here.

2. Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps; utilize all the compartments and pack heavier items closest to the center. You might also consider a rolling backpack for heavier loads (but remember, they still have to be carried up stairs – and aren’t so easy to maneuver in snow).

3. Consider joining with other parents to purchase school supplies in bulk from an office supply store. Set up a designated shelf or storage bin for all items so you won’t have to make a last-minute run to the store for a glue stick. Find a list of school supplies for your school here.

4. Establish clear homework rules from the get-go, such as no TV while working. Set up a permanent workspace, and allow your child 10 minute breaks each hour to combat eye, neck and brain fatigue.

5. Stress can lead to poor food choices and weight gain (like the famous Freshmen Fifteen). Have a range of stress-busting activities to combat that craving for a box of Ho-Hos. Get great healthy snack and lunch ideas here.

6. Turn the first day of school into a celebration with a special family dinner. Find a fun cake idea here.