It’s that time of year again… back to school season.

You probably have spent the past few weeks getting school supplies together, planning schedules, and trying to enjoy the last fleeting moments of summer. Looking forward, days will consist of early mornings trying to get out the door on time, multiple extracurricular activities, and a night’s worth of homework. 

As parents you want to ensure your child has a successful school year. The best way to do that is to be proactive in supporting your child. Don’t wait for your child to fall behind to begin providing extra support, instead, you should get a step ahead with some of these tips below.

• A Good Night’s Sleep:
  • Making sure your child gets a full night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do as a parent to support your child. As your child grows a night’s sleep repairs the body, balances hormones, reduces stress, and improves focus. While we recommend limiting phone time before bed, we know that is a big ask. Instead, we recommend helping your child form a routine before bedtime, allowing for a consistent schedule that lulls the body into slumber naturally. 

• Manage Expectations and Pressure:
  • Every parent wants their child to succeed academically. However, not every child thrives in the same way. It’s important as a parent not to intertwine your child’s grades with their self-worth. Even if your child’s grades are not perfect, they may be excelling in areas that are integral to development. Future success is not determined solely by grades, as it includes personal growth, character development, emotional well-being, and respect for peers. Celebrate the small achievements, avoid comparing them to siblings and peers, and emphasize effort over outcome. 

• Build a Routine:
  • Having a consistent daily routine goes a long way. Having things under control and knowing where or what needs to be done next does wonders for limiting stress and anxiety for both child and parent. Making a visual schedule, like a calendar, so the child can physically see what needs to be done will increase adherence to the schedule. It’s okay to start small, like having your child pack their lunch, laying out their clothes in the evening, or having a set homework time. From there you can make small adjustments as you go to build stronger routines. Lastly, it’s okay if the routine needs to change as that’s life, but make sure you aim to get back in the routine at some point or you risk losing the positive progress.

• Communication is Key:
  • One of the best ways to support your child is to ask them what’s on their mind! Be open to discussing what they are excited about, what they aren’t so excited about, and what may be causing them some unwanted anxiety. From there, validate your child’s worries and work with them on potential solutions. Try to set aside a night a week to be present with your child and participate in what interests them, letting them know you are there to support them even if you have a busy schedule. If your child is in a transitional period and is uncertain about what lies ahead, do what you can to turn that nervousness into excitement even if it’s just making their favorite meal before the school week starts. 

• Self-care
  • It’s a long school year and it’s easy to think of it as a race, but really everyone finishes at the same time. As a student you gotta be in it for the long haul, so doing whatever you can to limit stress goes a long way. Going outside as a family and taking a walk while the weather is still nice. Make sure your child is able to attend social outings with friends. Listening to music and dancing to your heart’s content, keeping a journal and writing down daily thoughts, or just putting on your favorite TV show. These are just some of the small things you can do that can have a profound impact on your child’s school year. 

As a parent, it’s up to you to set the standards for your child. This starts with modeling the behaviors you want your child to express. As beneficial as the tips above are for your school-aged children, they are just as beneficial for you as a parent. I recommend reading this again and seeing what information you see that you could apply to your life and daily schedule. 

We here at Revived Mind Counseling wish you and your family all the best for this upcoming school year. 

Written by: Ryan Keller BSW