Feel like you’re not ready for school to start? Try not to panic. Instead, follow these easy two-step plans far in advance of school starting, a week ahead and on the actual first day.
A few weeks ahead
Take an inventory. Clear out closets to assess what can stay and what can be handed down, donated or recycled. Knowing what your child actually needs will help keep back-to-school shopping on budget.
Involve your child in choosing and labeling their back-to-school gear. This will add to his enthusiasm for school and give him a sense of pride in his belongings. Labeling has many benefits (for little kids especially). Apart from helping them identify their belongings and avoid mix-ups, labels minimize the chance of them losing stuff, which means less stress for both of you!
A week before
Adjust routines. Start earlier bed and wake-up times to help ease into the new school schedule. If your child will be in school all day, he’ll have to adjust to a new meal schedule. Familiarize him by scheduling lunch and snack times to coincide with school and after-school ones.
Create a dedicated area for school stuff. This is where he can keep his school bags, books and papers, as well as a school calendar. Use a sticker to mark the first day of school and other important and fun days.
On the day
Allow time for a healthy breakfast. Nervous tummies might not be ready for a big meal, so keep it light but nutritious. Injecting some fun into it can help ease nerves, too — make a blueberry smiley face on that bowl of cereal or pancake.
Stay cool. We parents are often more nervous than our kids! Since children can pick up on our moods, keep your jitters hidden and tell your child that you’re sure he’s going to have a great first day. Chances are, he will!
Submitted by Mabel’s Labels. Founded by four moms, Mabel’s Labels is the leading provider of super durable labels for the stuff kids lose!® Our award-winning customizable products are laundry, dishwasher & microwave-safe and 100 percent guaranteed. For more great content, join the Mabelhood community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up for our newsletter at mabel
