Katherine Williams
Katherine Williams knows that one of the most difficult things about parenting is taking good care of yourself so you can take the best care of your children. She created When the Baby Sleeps to help parents prioritize self-care so that they can be there for their kids. She knows that finding time for self-care as a parent never gets easier, but she hopes the advice and resources shared on her site will help her visitors be their best parenting selves.
Parents face all kinds of stressors and concerns throughout the school year, from getting kids up in the morning to helping with homework. Some common school-year problems that parents may encounter include sleeplessness, sickness, lack of motivation, and bullying. Fortunately, parents can prepare for these issues and take steps to overcome them. Here are some tips to ensure this school year is one that you and your child will remember fondly, brought to you courtesy of Mommy from the Block.
School Supply Shortages
The right school supplies will set your child up for success. Once you’ve obtained everything on your back-to-school list, consider purchasing a few extra supplies like a reusable water bottle, compact umbrella, and flash drive. It’s also important to choose a great desk for your child so they have a distraction-free place to do homework. If your child thrives when listening to music, get a Bluetooth speaker that syncs to their phone and can be moved between rooms.
Most children rely on electronics for taking class notes or completing school assignments. Be ready to handle any electronics-related disasters. You never know when a laptop will suddenly decide to shut down before a big due date. Our electronics tend to quit on us when we need them most! Fortunately, you can help your child learn to back up on the Cloud or on a USB drive. And if true disaster strikes, you can usually find great prices for big-ticket items online.
Contagious Illnesses
If your child catches an illness at school, your whole family can become sick! Take steps to protect your child from contagious colds. Teach your children to adopt good hand washing habits and avoid body contact with children who are sick. Make sure your child also understands why they shouldn’t share food or drinks with other kids.
On top of good hygiene habits, healthy eating can help keep your child’s immune system strong and resilient against bugs. According to Cleveland Clinic, colorful fruits and veggies contain the most immunity-boosting vitamins. You can also supplement your child’s diet with high-quality chewable multivitamins. While multivitamins won’t stop a cold in its tracks, they can give your child a fighting chance against a circulating virus.
Poor Sleep Quality
Excessive sleepiness can cause problems with learning and behavior in children. Make sure your child gets enough high-quality sleep every night. Set an early bedtime that will allow your child to get about 10 hours of sleep. Maintain this sleep schedule on weekends. To help your child fall asleep more easily, restrict electronic use in the evenings and develop a relaxing bedtime routine.
You may also find that clearing bad energy from your house — and especially your child’s room – can help make bedtime easier. Work with them to declutter their play, sleeping, and homework areas, and then clean using a naturopathic remedy that will remove from the room negative energy caused by complaining and drama. Now might even be a good time to rearrange their space to reflect feng shui practices. Plus, the refresh can do wonders for your child’s energy and motivation.
Adjusting to an Early Schedule
Adjusting to an early school schedule after a long summer can be a huge challenge for children. To ease the transition, have your kids start going to bed early a couple of weeks before school starts again. You’ll face the least resistance by moving their bedtime by only 10 minutes or so per night. If it’s a struggle getting your cranky child out of bed in the morning, We Have Kids offers advice, such as leaving a nightlight on at night.
Morning Dressing Drama
Getting your child out of bed is just half the battle. Avoid morning dressing drama by creating an online photo album of your child’s favorite outfits that they can pick through. Each weekend, you can help your child plan their outfits for the next week using a whiteboard or days-of-the-week clothing organizer. Consider also rewarding your child for dressing quickly.
Sticking to a consistent morning routine is also helpful. Try to keep things as predictable as possible. Be sure to focus on care practices like eating breakfast and brushing teeth.
School Refusal
If your child is displaying distress about attending school, they may be struggling with school refusal. Talk to your child about what’s bothering them. You can also talk to their teachers and do a little investigating yourself. It’s impotent to try lecturing or punishing them since school refusal is driven by anxiety, not rebellion. If your child does end up staying home, set up a learning environment and enforce rules restricting television and video games.
It may also help you to better understand school and educational practices, especially if this is your first child. Learning more about each local school can help you make more informed choices in your child’s education. If your child continues in a private or public school system, these resources can help you to better understand the learning and teaching process. In addition, you’ll feel better prepared to help your child with academic issues as they move through school.
The beginning of every school year comes with plenty of potential problems that parents have to handle. While your children will adjust to school as the weeks go on, you never know when a disaster will come up. The best way to avoid and overcome school-year mishaps is to encourage open communication with your child and let them know you’ll support them through anything.
For a mother’s perspective on HELLP syndrome, PPA, and motherhood, visit Mommy from the Block today!
