Cue the back-to-school blues. Every parent has mixed emotions when it comes to this time of year — there are tears because our babies are getting older and won’t be home as much, and there is excitement because our babies are growing up and we’ll have more time for ourselves. (Let’s be honest though, I’d spend every minute of every day with Evan if I could.)
On top of the stress of actually going back to school, there’s the stress of making sure your kids have every school supply they could possibly need. What happened to the days when there was just one type of pencil, pen and notebook? Now there’s actually a pen aisle — an entire aisle dedicated just to pens — it’s crazy!
So as the lazy summer days are replaced by a school schedule, carpools and homework, I’ve decided to make the best of it by trying to make the year as memorable as possible for both Evan and me. Here are my three goals for this school year:
• Come up with a back-to-school tradition — or even a weekly tradition during the school year — like a special dinner or game night.
• Volunteer at the school. If they need a chaperone for a trip, I’ll be the first one to volunteer so I’ll get to spend the day with Evan and his new friends.
• Make sure to have conversations about Evan’s day, every day; be there to listen to his stories, give him advice and just enjoy the day with him.
Missing Evan while he’s at school only makes the time I get to spend with him once he’s home that much more special — even if it consists of helping him with his homework.
What are some ways you cope with the back-to-school blues?
I make it a point to eat dinner with my 9 year old daughter every night, and that is when we discuss our day and upcoming events. We also have a “date” night once a month where I let her choose what we eat, what we do, etc. She loves those “just us” nights and looks forward to them.
I found that when my kids were young getting in a routine was very important.
I had learned when my kids were young (young adults? How/when did that happen?) it is way too easy to bemoan how horrible a day has been. So at the dinner table we had to go around and share at least one great thing that happened that day and what was one RAK (random act of kindness) that they did that day. It influenced their whole day looking for that positive nugget they could bring to the table. Great vibes for all! But then again, I’ve been blessed with three awesome humans to raise!
We make sure to have a big family dinner on Sundays. We also plan once a month on a Saturday night for family game night or movie night. Since my kids are now getting older they lime to spend weekend do with friends. 🙁
I absolutely love time off with my kids during the holidays, fortunately for me, my kids don’t go back for another 2.5 weeks. I love the relaxed routine and not having to rush around. Xx
We always have a big family dinner on Sundays. We designate one Saturday a month to family time and have game night, movie night, or a day road trip. Since my kids are getting older they like to spend weekends hanging out with friends.
I volunteer at my boys’ school so much that I got myself a job as an aide in their building this year! Now I can be there AND get paid! After being a stay at home mom for 9 years, this will be a nice transition back into the work world! As much as they can drive me crazy sometimes, I can’t stand being away from my boys all day! I’m excited for this new adventure!
Good advice. I think that the summers are getting shorter….at least if feels that way. We cope by remembering that they are back in class with all of their friends. We support their extra curricular, i.e. photography club, Orchestra, Choir, etc. We are blessed to have a great district and schools (St. Charles) and have a lot of choices or ways to get involved.
Since my youngest child is a junior in high school doing homework is an independent time for him. So to be sure he had time to vent & be open & honest about his day I usually offer up something we always enjoyed doing together. Nothing big. Something like driving to get a milkshake or go to the dollar store or watch that something on tv that is just a me & him thing. That makes him comfortable & secure. So he opens up. Some of the time is talking about things that inside I’m totally freaking out but on the outside I stay calm so we keep our open dialogue.
I like to make a special lunch, or put notes in their lunch kit, once a week. Instead of the usual sandwich/piece of fruit/juice box combo, I will give them pancakes or French toast, or a mini pizza, or maybe some soup in a thermos, and then throw in something sweet. And a note telling them to have a good day, or simply that I love them. I know that I don’t get to spend as much time with them as I would like, but this way they know I am always thinking of them.
I just started following your blog and love it. Thanks so much
I have a 14 year old and 9 year old. My oldest is going it High School this year and I’m wondering how to keep that bond with him. I think just talking to your kids and spending quality time with them helps when school starts. I have tried so hard this summer to etch out time for each of my kids on a one to one basis. It’s really helped becasue both boys are at different stages in their lives and they both don’t have the same aspirations or interests. I leave a note in their book bag every day. Just a simple note to let them know I’m thinking of them. I love your ideas of volunteering and being involved. I found that being seen by teachers and the administrators makes the day for easier for the kids. The staff at your school see that you wan to help and it makes it easier for your kids!
Stay strong ladies!!!! Christmas vacation is right around the corner.
Blessings
Awww!? back to school, I never thrilled about my son going back to school after a long summer.
I also try to walk my son to school and putca special surprise in his school bag. In my house, try to make him breakfast every morning and make sure i tell him to make good choices today and that i love before he goes into school, This year he is going to a new school, its a new year for the both of us.Iove spending time with my son and may volunteer this year and try and wait for him after school before he gets out just like the other parents waiting for the school bell to ring. He is excited because he’a going to an ipad school!!Fun Fun but i an’t use it.
I love the idea of setting some goals for the school year.
I took a lot of pictures this summer and am going to print them in all fun formats from different sites. In frames for the walls, in books, on cool products just to capture those memories in print. We also are planning a couple fall weekend trips just to get out of the norm and have that feeling that Summer gave us. We have a last hooray week trip planned in August for extra bonding time. My son’s school also allows parents to visit for lunch (he is 6) so we try to do that too every once in a while.
We always plan a family pizza night /movie night in Friday’s !When I pick up my kids from school I always ask tell my one positive thing that happened today !:)
I don’t mind kids going to school. It’s the school buses that I don’t like. I don’t like the way they park the buses & extend out the stop arm.
I have two grown up children, with five still at home and I find that helping them choose their clothes for school the night before gives an extra opportunity to spend time talking with them. We also share one good thing about their day and one not so good thing at the dinner table. It provides the family to discus the not so good thing and offer better solutions on how to look at the situation differently. Our routine also helps to keep things rolling right along during the school week.
Another good thing is also encourage them and reward them with their accomplishments or efforts for each day. And if they have a bad day or fail a test or homework they didn’t get a good grade, don’t be disappointed with them, instead still encourage them for their effort and help them with what areas they are struggling in. Homework doesn’t have to be an alone type of thing. They had been through enough already with having to sit 8hrs. at school all day. Help them with it and that will help you bond with them even more. Go over the answers and help them with the problems, show them how you got the correct answer if they chose it wrong. It increases their ability to learn from their mistakes. Because parents are the best teacher when it comes down to it.
How do I cope with the back to school blues? I will let you know when I figure out some good tips! My oldest is a Senior in high school this year. This mom is nervous, scared, excited, trying not to panic. All at the same time, putting a smile on and being the best cheerleader I can be. I am also trying to focus on my youngest son, as he has his last year of elementary school. For him, I feel sad at the thought of him moving to the middle school and getting older, and knowing the ride through high school is getting ever so closer.. However, once again I put that smile in my voice and cheer him on. A few weeks ago we found out whom his 6th grade teacher is going to be. I tried to find out what kids were in his class, and if he had any of his buddies in there. We found out there are 2! Yeah! Then the next step was picking out the backpack. He had a choice of getting a new one, or using his from last year, and he chose last year’s backpack. This past weekend we picked up his new shoes. This weekend we will make sure that he has all his school supplies. I try to take things step by step as not to overwhelm my youngest and let me deal with the blues little by little. With my oldest, I make sure he has what he needs, and trying to pin down dates for Senior pictures! At night when the boys are sleeping, and I have time to think about my babies moving forward in their education careers I try to think of how can I make this their most successful year. Every time I get the blues, I try to find someone whom needs my help with getting their kids ready for school. Every time I can help out, it takes my blues away and leaves me with so much more…The added bonus is that my son’s learn a valuable lesson of giving back to others….