The majority of schools across Ireland will be back in session from next week.
Getting back into the swing of things can take a while for both parents and kids but there are ways to make the transition from summer to school easier.
Parenting bloggers Ellen O’Keefe, Eimear Hutchinson and Becky O’Haire were asked by Batchelor’s what advice they would give to parents getting back into the flow of the school run and these were their top back to school tips.
Becky O’Haire, Cuddly Fairy
Kids get used to staying up late in the summer and if they start back into the school routine without adjusting their bed and wake schedule, it can be a rocky first week back with very sleepy heads. Slowly bring bedtime back to normal over the week before school starts by waking the kids a bit earlier each morning and putting them to bed a little earlier each night.
Have a hearty after-school snack ready for the kids, especially for those first few weeks back. When kids are adjusting back to school they might not eat as much lunch in school as they would at home, which means they can come back really hungry after school and get into the habit of constant snacking. Simple things like eggs, toast, beans, pasta and soups are quick and also filling, and cut out the snacking.
Eimear Hutchinson, The Two Darlings
Make sure your kids are empowered – make sure they are able to put on their coats by themselves, put on their shoes (buy velcro if they can’t tie their laces), make sure they are able to open their lunchboxes and drinks bottles themselves and unwrap or peel whatever food they have. It makes them more independent and it makes their teacher’s life a lot easier too!
Organise your entrance and exit area – have a place where, the night before, you have pairs of shoes lined up, coats are on a hook that children can reach themselves and bags are packed. There is nothing more frustrating than a missing shoe just as you are about to head out the door.
Have a backup supply of rubbers, pencil sharpeners, colouring pencils, crayons, rulers etc, even if they’re labelled these items seem to disappear into thin air with a frequency that’s unparalleled.
Ellen O’Keefe
Prepare as much as possible the night before. By having the uniforms ready and lunches packed you can enjoy a cup of tea before heading out the door instead of frantically looking under beds for a school tie.
Be inspired not intimidated. There are lots of fab resources online to inspire school lunches, breakfasts, etc. They are a great way to get ideas and motivations but tailor it to your situation. Remember to keep it realistic and don’t put yourself under any extra pressure.
