7 Back-to-School Mistakes to Avoid

Source: https://www.remsahealth.com/

Posted by: Jeremy & Amanda | Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 (11:23am)

The return of school is upon us!

While parents try hard to get their kids' new school year started off on the right foot, there are a couple of things that we should be careful to avoid.

Avoid sharing your personal negative thoughts about school. The moment you tell your kids that math is the worst is the moment they decide the same thing, and you will forever have a constant battle for years to come. Try and stay positive!
Avoid those emotional meltdowns at drop-off. Build confidence in your child when you drop them off. Imagine being a flight attendant and they are your passengers. Your kids will look to you on how to respond to certain situations, like drop-off. If you're a sobbing mess, they will be too. Save the tears until after you've cheered them into the building!
Avoid last minute preparations. No one, even adults, enjoy walking into a situation completely unprepared. Utilize the class supply list and work ahead. It'll be one less thing to worry about as your kid tackles the return to school. Perhaps pick up a padlock for those kids getting a combination lock locker for the first time...it's an easy way to practice at home!
Avoid throwing away receipts, at least for a bit. This is just a word of caution in the event that you find out that you purchased too many pencils or too many bottles of glue. Now you have the receipt to return them. Or, you can also donate the items to causes looking to support students that struggle with access to school supplies.
Avoid making light of their emotions. Feelings are called "feelings" for a reason...because that's how that person feels, even when that person is your child. Whether it's a positive or negative emotion, allow them to share these feelings and don't be too quick to solve the problem. Ask questions, understand, and then work together towards a resolution.
Avoid delaying the bedtime adjustment. Perhaps it's too late for this, but just like a parent who stays up late and sleeps in over the weekend knows, mornings can be challenging. Begin the process of acclimating your kids to the school year bedtime routine early to ease the pain. Also, if it's too late for your household, then see #5 to calmly and appropriately handle their wild emotions when they wake up and want "5 more minutes".
Avoid parenting too much...and too little. Parenting too much doesn't afford your child their developing independence, but parenting too little might send them down a path of challenges. Read your child and determine the amount of guidance and help you should provide. Middle school is a perfect time to allow for more independence as you prepare your child for high school and beyond. However, it's still probably okay to assist (remember...not do) your kindergartner's "All About Me" poster.

We hope it's a great school year for you and your kiddos! Be patient, have fun, and if you have a rough start to the day, give us a call! We're happy to turn things around with a great song on your way to school drop-off! Here's the number: 888.942.9274 :)

Read more about these tips from the original article HERE!

~Jeremy & Amanda