Being a parent over the last 18 years I have had many summer holidays panicking about the start of school terms and the school summer holidays bring with them the stress entertaining the kids and working. 

So over the years I have been following a few simple things to avoid the anxiety and stress that starting the new school year normally entails. 

This summer holidays I think its even more important than ever to start thinking about how to get them back to school as painlessly as possible due to the extended time frame they kids have been off due to COVID-19. I know my kids have suffered mentally and emotionally with the lockdown and the routine changes so here are some things that I am starting to implement to try and ease the transition.

Organisation Is The Key

Don’t wait till 2 weeks before term starts to get organised buying uniform. For me I budget in the summer term for the new school uniform items and then purchased the next size of up school logo’d items in the last week of term. 

This year is slightly different with not being allowed anywhere on the school premises before the end of the school term unless you were a key worker so I have been dutifully saving my money to purchase the logo’d uniform items on the first day back. 

For the general school uniform items I generally order those on the first week of the school holidays to ensure I can order everything from the same shop. Making it easier to keep track of what uniform I have got and what I still need to get.

Shoes & School Bags

My kids always need new shoes in the new school year. We seem to limp to the end of the school year, just. Some years are worse than others but regardless we always need school shoes. This years school shoes were purchased at Christmas after a growth spurt but since languishing in the cupboard under the stairs for the best part of half a year during lockdown my kids need new shoes again now.

My past shoe purchasing history is bad. I always panicked and thought I should leave it till the few days before the new term. This has been a big big mistake. After all their feet don’t grow that quickly. 

I now buy the school shoes by week 3. In my area the school summer holidays are now only 5 weeks not 6 so this is adequate time to get the shoes sorted avoiding the rush. 

This year Clark which is normally our shop of choice for school shoes were amazing with taking pre booked appointments which you could book online for fitting so we were able to get our shoes with 2 weeks to spare before the end of the school holidays and I am hoping they continue this online booking system in future it was so easy and painless!

School bags can be ordered online with little to no hassle

Routines, Routines, Routines

Normally the kids slip out of the school day routine easily in the school holidays but it can be a struggle to get them back into the mind set before the start of the new school year. However, being prepared for the school day really can help them mentally get ready for what’s expected.

This year if yours are anything like mine then you will know after 6 months off they are going to seriously struggle with the routine and generally getting back into the swing of things. 

For me this is where routine needs to come back in. Being realistic and phase back in earlier bed times gradually. Remind them gently throughout the day what time bed time will be tonight. Involve them in setting up that bedtime routine where possible. Give them choices if you can so they feel a bit of control such as offering a bath or shower .. if you have that choice. Or maybe ask if they would like a warm bedtime drink and a biscuit .. which biscuits shall we buy for bedtime? I know my kids are more welcoming of change if they have been actively involved with it.

Keep It Real

I am not going to lie .. I know my kids are going to be emotional. They are going to be resistant to change and getting back to routines and school and allow time to talk to them. Rushing things and piling on the pressure is not going to help and all that will happen is complete meltdowns from both sides.

Keeping it real also means acknowledging your own feelings too. I honestly am feeling a large amount of anxiety at the kids going back to school. I know already I am quite emotional. After all this last 6 months has been an epic rollercoaster of emotions for us all. Be gentle on yourself. Allow yourself time to adjust if you can and plan some time if possible for doing something you can enjoy and look forward too. And if you want to cry … grab the tissues and let it all out, don’t hold on to the tears!