The calendar advances inexorably and, like every year, September marks the end of the summer holidays and the return to school for the little ones in the house. Although for some it is a return that they face with enthusiasm and enthusiasm, many children resist returning to their routine after a summer of fun and enjoyment.
Likewise, for parents, going back to school can make it easier to reconcile family and work life, but it also means stress when it comes to organizing preparations, resuming schedules and convincing children that it is time to “change the chip”. In this regard, there are a series of very common mistakes that are made –without malicious intent– and that only worsen the return to routine for adults and children. Pay attention and try to avoid them to get as positive a return to school as possible.
It is common to want to make the most of vacations and summer time as much as possible, but trying to return to the routine abruptly is much more complex. It is best to do it progressively, returning home a few days before to put everything in order and adjusting the schedule progressively: each day they go to bed and get up a little earlier to make it easier for them to get up early.
Avoid phrases that have a negative connotation about going back to school. Such as “the good stuff is over”, “now it’s time to get the batteries”, “what a roll” or any similar reference. They may seem harmless to you or even mention them to convey to your children that you understand their apathy, but it is best to talk about the return to the routine with positive references and focusing on exciting aspects, such as the reunion with their peers or the emotion to learn new things.
Have patience and empathy with your children when they go back to school. After these months of rest and disconnection, it is normal for them to find it difficult to acclimate back to routine and obligations. Do not demand too much from them the first few days, do not sign them up for too many extracurricular activities at the same time, or sin to focus on results and grades. The priority these days will be to get into the rhythm and routine.
Do not leave everything to the last minute, dedicate time and attention to the preparations. Organize your schedules, what time you have to get up and leave the house to arrive on time, buy school supplies, see what you have from last year and can be reused, prepare your clothes… The less you leave to improvisation, the less room for mistake.
Let the children be involved in the preparations, such as the choice of school supplies, the backpack or the clothes they will wear (if they are not wearing a uniform). This makes them feel independent and responsible, while fueling their enthusiasm for going back to school.
