Photo: woodleywonderworksHow’s your stress level now the kids are back to school? The first week is quite an adjustment not just for the kids, but for Mum and Dad too. Getting back into the routine of shopping for and making lunches, getting kids to sleep at night and waking them in the morning so they catch the bus on time can all create major stress.
If this is your child’s first week ever at school, there’s the parental fears of how they will get on, will they make friends, will they be safe. Try to remember that thousands of children have done this before and all managed to survive, even enjoy their first few weeks.
Here are some tips to help things go smoothly over the next week or two as everyone gets adjusted:
• Concentrate on the positives of the week
• Prepare bags and lunches the night before
• Set out clothes for the kids the night before
• Share stories with the kids about their experiences
• Get plenty of sleep
• Depending on the age of your child, leave a little happy note from Mum or Dad in their lunch box
• Help the kids leave the house in a happy frame of mind
• Don’t let them see you’re worried or concerned about them
• Try not to pay too much attention to what the media are doing to hype and panic everyone
In a few weeks all members of the family will be in a routine and you’ll be wondering what you were ever worried or stressed about.
Happy Schooling!!