To help you with the back-to-school transition, here are a few tips to ease your children back into school life.
Do everything you can the night before
Encourage your kids to lay out their school clothes before going to bed.
Have kids pack their school bags.
If they bring their lunch, have the kids pack their lunch boxes.
Ensure bags, equipment, or must-bring items are by the door.
Set the stage for a good night’s sleep
Set the alarm for 30 minutes before bedtime.
Establish regular bedtime routines
Set regular weekday and weekend bedtimes.
Remove phones and tablets from kids’ bedrooms.
Use night lights, white sound machines, and fans for kids who can’t get to sleep.
Plan for smooth mornings
Set your clocks forward 10 minutes.
Make sure your kids have an effective wake-up alarm that works for them. No TV in the morning
Serve a Healthy Breakfast
Choose breakfast foods that:
include fiber and protein (peanut butter, whole wheat tortillas, egg bakes)
contain low-fat dairy (milk, Greek yogurt, and smoothies)
rich in carbohydrates (fresh or frozen fruit)
low in added sugar (fortified whole grain cereals and waffles)
Celebrate the start of a new school year
If you celebrate the first day of school, your kids will see back-to-school as a transition they can enjoy. Take their picture on the first day of school with family and friends. It’s going to be a great year.
Abbie McLemore, APRN-CNP
Ringling Family Care