The new year also marks a fresh start to a school year for parents of children whom are of school-going age.
As the school term starts almost immediately after the new year, it can get pretty challenging. Especially for working parents, it’s not only stress from the office that you’ll need to deal with but also everything else that comes along with a having a schooling child. This includes looking into school administrative matters, transportation, after-school activities, school stationery, meals and the list just goes on.
The back-to-school stressors can really add up and there’s no doubt that the situation can get really stressful as you try to juggle these responsibilities all at a go.
Here are some common challenges parents face at the start of the school year. The good news is, we’ve got some pretty handy tips on how to manage them.
Anxious little ones
Like as if the start of the school term in general is not stressful enough, more stress can add up if the start of your day involves a crying child during school drop off.
Separation anxiety is possible and even royal parents are not spared from having to deal with it. For some parents, dropping a child at school is hassle-free but for others, it could be a tug of war and this could make it extremely difficult. Especially if you’re a working parent, this could lead to you turning up late for work and even affect your productivity and concentration as you worry about how your child is doing.
Coping tip: Before school, explain to your child about the drop-off procedure so that he is aware of it. Also, work with your child’s school teachers for this process. Not to worry, as most teachers are well-experienced with such situations as it’s common. Lastly, avoid hanging around or saying long goodbyes (as much as it’s equally difficult for you).
Morning madness
Embracing the morning traffic can already be dreadful enough as a working parent. Though, let’s face it, that’s not the only thing you’ll need to worry about in the morning. The morning madness actually starts even before you get into the car. Having to ensure that your children get out of bed, move along to the bathroom without much delay and feeding them breakfast does add to stress levels. Coordinating all these while making sure that your child makes it on time to catch the school bus or even arrive at school before the bell rings is a challenge for many households (yes, you’re not alone in this).
Plus, the screaming and nagging does not help anyone but what could you possibly do? Well, the good news is, there are a few tips that you could try.
Coping tip: Where possible, plan ahead. This includes packing the school bag, putting out your child’s school attire (including socks and shoes!) for the next day and perhaps even prepare their snacks the night before. This not only saves a lot of time but it also puts your child into a routine. Lastly, set the alarm clock a few minutes earlier so that this gives your child the opportunity to take a few extra minutes to get out of bed.
Have a routine
The school holidays are about having fun and relaxing. When this occurs, routines are bound to be compromised. Of course, no one is to be blamed because who doesn’t want to have some fun whenever they can?
However, there are of course some consequences if this does happen. Your child would need some adjustments getting to a routine from getting up on time to completing homework after school and even attending extra-curricular activities.
This could take weeks or even months in some cases. It could also raise the stress level within your child as he tries to cope with everything. Hence, resulting in tantrums and bad moods and this will also affect you.
Coping tip: Try getting into a routine ahead of the new school term. No matter how difficult or challenging it is, do persevere and you will be rewarded once your child readjusts to his usual routines. Weekends and other holidays also give a window to break this routine. Though where possible, try to make plans that can go about your child’s routine to avoid having a re-run of making adjustments.
Staying healthy
Back to school also means having to face the challenge of ensuring that your child has healthier lunch options and secondly, a good immune system as he is exposed to germ-filled environment.
Having a child that falls sick every other week is no fun. Plus, if you’re a working parent, having to take time off work every now and then could affect your productivity at work too.
As much as you can’t control the environment your child studies or play in, you could on the other hand, control the meals that your child enjoys at school by preparing healthier options at home.
Coping tip: There are many quick and relatively simple school snack ideas that you could prepare in advance. If you would like to give your child some flexibility in making their meal decisions, perhaps you could prepare a smaller portion of snacks from home and provide just a small sum of allowance that’s sufficient for child to enjoy another snack option at school. As for having a good immune system, this is also linked to having healthy meals and of course, supplements meant for children and immunity boosting snacks like homemade smoothies could help too. Speak to your child’s pediatrician or your friendly community pharmacist on suggestions if your school going child is falling ill frequently.
Relax and unwind
Going to school could be equally stressful for your child as it is for you. Hence, it is always important to know how to manage your stress as adults. This journey, especially at the start, can be a really challenging one and it could lead to you breaking down or getting furious. Letting go of your negative emotions is healthy and it’s also important that your child is not affected by them.
So, it’s crucial to know how to manage them well. Here are a few tactics you could try:
Give enough time
Knowing that you’re short on time simply amplifies the pressure and stress. Give yourself and your child sufficient time to get things done. You might find it difficult or almost impossible to try and change your schedule as it’s already packed as it is but think about it, the pressure that you’ve to go through daily is indeed toxic and it may not yield the most positive results. Hence, do try to give your daily routine enough space that makes you and your child comfortable.
Help your child manage stress
Children need to be guided with how to self-regulate their hormones. A 2015 research suggests that parents play a crucial role in the way their child handles stress. Plus, when your child is able to manage his emotions, this also reduces your stress levels as you can now worry less about having to manage a screaming or tantrum throwing child each time he doesn’t agree to something.
Make time for inspiration
Being a parent can get you caught up with all your responsibilities to care for your child that you forget the simple pleasure you enjoy in life as an individual. Make time for yourself even if it is a short while, to do something that makes you happy.
