ARE YOU READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL?

The new school year is just around the corner and that can be a stressful time

By putting a few simple measures in place you can make “back to school” a time for celebration, not confrontation.

Know your environment

If your child is attending school for the first time, switching schools or transitioning to high school – the change in surroundings can sometimes be overwhelming. A great way to alleviate some of this stress is to meet your child’s teacher/s before the start of the year. Even if it’s just a phone call or an email, it introduces you to somebody who is going to have a strong influence on your child’s life (sometimes for a number of years).

Be organised

Preparation is key to avoiding school year mishaps. Have you bought or at least ordered your child’s text books, school supplies and clothing for the coming year. Do they have a backpack or school case that comfortably fits their size and needs? Have you decided how your child will be attending school (and have you explained why they may need to take the bus instead of being dropped at the front gate)? Communication will save a lot of angst closer to the big day.

Talk to your child

Discussing school routines and what is expected of your child (by you and the school) can give them a vital framework to work with. By assigning simple, and achievable, goals – you give your child the confidence to plan how their year will progress and how they can “be in charge” of that journey. Explain the fun of meeting new people and making new friends and all the exciting academic, artistic and sporting options they are yet to discover. It suddenly won’t seem so scary. A little bit of preparation on your behalf will create a more ordered, structured and less-stressful start to the school year. And, to anyone who’s a parent, doesn’t that sound like a good thing?