Strategies for Fathers to Ease into the School Year Routine
Preparing for the Back-to-School Season: A Family Approach
As the summer draws to a close, families are gearing up for the return to school. To make this transition smoother for children, the authors suggest creating a ritual that works for each family, focusing on routines, emotional support, and preparation.
Establishing Routines
One key strategy is to start adjusting sleep schedules early. The authors recommend moving bedtimes earlier in 15–20 minute increments a few days before school begins. This gradual shift helps children feel well-rested and ready for the earlier mornings ahead [2][5].
Establishing consistent morning routines is also essential. This includes picking out clothes and packing lunches the night before, and setting up designated spots for school items like backpacks and shoes [1][3]. Practicing the school day routine and commute in advance can reduce morning stress, and familiarizing your child with the route to school or the bus stop helps ease anxiety [1][2].
Building Familiarity and Support
Visiting the school or classroom beforehand can help build familiarity and comfort with the environment. Even playing on the playground or touring common areas helps ease anxiety [1][3]. Openly discussing your child's feelings about the transition and involving them in brainstorming ways to make it easier can also be beneficial [1][3].
Creating Special Rituals
Creating special rituals or celebrations marking the transition can foster positive associations with going back to school. This could involve a back-to-school breakfast or a note in the lunchbox [3]. Involving children in back-to-school preparations, such as shopping for supplies and setting up their learning space, can also build excitement and ownership [2][4][5].
Promoting Independence
As kids get older, the authors suggest nudging them to create their own morning routines. This promotes independence and responsibility [6].
Limit Screen Time and Organize Learning Space
The authors also advise limiting screen time before bed to help improve sleep quality during schedule shifts [5]. Designating a special, organized area at home for school items and learning can build order, independence, and a calm environment for study [3][4].
Planning and Preparation
The authors emphasize the importance of planning and proactive ramp-up efforts to create a smoother transition for everyone in the family during back-to-school season. This includes discussing drop-off and pick-up schedules, back-to-school forms, school supplies and clothes shopping, new bedtimes, extracurricular activities, calendar sync-up, homework routines, and any concerns about the school year in a family meeting [7].
The authors themselves have been sending their kids to school after summer vacation for over a decade. They establish a ritual to help their kids feel more grounded as they go back to school, which involves discussing any concerns and setting goals, and saying a father's blessing [8]. The authors also use a morning checklist on their kitchen whiteboard to prevent their kids from forgetting items for school [9].
By implementing these approaches, families can reduce stress, build confidence, and foster a positive mindset about returning to school for the whole family [1][2][3].
- Embracing special rituals, such as a back-to-school breakfast or a note in the lunchbox, can foster positive associations and build excitement for children during the transition to a new school year.
- Creating a family meeting to discuss and plan drop-off and pick-up schedules, school supplies shopping, bedtime adjustments, extracurricular activities, and any concerns about the upcoming school year can help reduce stress and foster a smooth transition for the family.
- Involving children in back-to-school preparations, like shopping for supplies and setting up their learning space, can build a sense of ownership and excitement about the new school year.
- The family-dynamics can benefit from promoting independence by nudging older children to create their own morning routines, thereby fostering responsibility and confidence.
- Home-and-garden organization, such as designating an organized area for school items and learning, can contribute to building order, independence, and a calm environment that encourages studying.
- Limit screen time before bed to improve sleep quality during the schedule shifts and make the transition back to school less challenging for children's health and overall well-being.
