5 back-to-school tips for working parents

It's hard to believe that summer is finally over, and so are the days of late-night snacking, watching movies past bedtime, splashing in the pool all day, and no PTA meetings, right? It can be a significant adjustment for both kids who don't want to return to school and parents who are already juggling multiple responsibilities at home and work. 

Children can have it doubly challenging. Meeting new classmates and teachers and adjusting to a new environment can be overwhelming, especially for those entering a new school. 

You can do a few things to ease yourself and your children into the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year.  

Here are five back-to-school tips to ease your busy schedule

Start a routine 

During summer, there were no 'school nights,' so it wasn't a big deal if your child was up past their bedtime, but that won't be the case once school starts. The excitement of the first couple of days will wear off soon, and the 'too tired to wake up early for school' phase will catch up with them. It can lead to them not getting enough rest at night and being tired at school the next day.

One way to handle this is to create a routine that'll work well during regular school time and adhere to it every day--two weeks before school reopens. Once your child starts to follow the new schedule, the transition will be more manageable over the two weeks, and school mornings will be more leisurely for you.

Plan meals 

Planning your meals ahead of time will make life much easier. You'd know what to prepare for your kids' lunches/snacks for the next day/week and also plan weekday dinners. 

Keep your child's lunch easy and quick, and let your child help you while preparing– it goes by faster with the extra help. 

Tip: plan out ideas for different meals of the week on a meal planner so that you don't frantically decide on your kids' meals at the last minute.

Get school supplies 

Don't wait till the last weekend to do all the back-to-school shopping. Stores may run out of supplies, and you might be unable to find the right time to run errands. Some schools provide a list of things students will need for the school year, so you know what exactly to buy. Don't forget to stock a few extras at home.

Busy parents hack: allocate shopping for a specific weekend. You can even get it online if you are crunched for time. 

Wardrobe

One way to make mornings more manageable and less frantic is to plan them. Instead of running around looking for that missing sock in the morning with a screaming child, why not spend some time with your child on Sunday laying out what they will wear for the entire week? Make sure everyone knows what to wear each day. It might be a bit of a hassle, but it pays dividends on particularly difficult mornings. 

Make reasonable commitments 

As parents, we want to attend every tryout, bake cookies for meetings, and sew costumes for all the plays. Wanting to do it all and be involved is great, but before you sign up for everything, take pause. You are likely to burn out and won't be able to give it the energy you want to. Pick and choose the ones you know you can commit to and deliver.
 

The back-to-school part of the year often presents itself as a massive burden that needs you trudging through it. Take one day, one thing at a time. Keeping these pointers handy can unload your mind; we're sure back-to-school will be a breeze.

At byjuslearning.com, we provide curriculum-aligned, grade-level learning experiences for kids between ages 4 to 8, helping them build on skills they learn in school.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is NOT medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, provide medical or behavioral advice, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, or behavior. You should consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your child’s development to make a medical diagnosis, determine a treatment for a medical condition, or obtain other related advice.