The end of the school year can be challenging for many families because kids are transitioning away from the freedom that summer vacation offered. The good news is that there are a few ways to make the most of the end of summer to make this transition easier.
Get Caught Up on Any Medical and Dental Visits
The end of the summer is a great time to take care of any medical or dental visits for the family. Once the school year starts back up, you may not have time to take your child to the doctor or dentist without them missing class.
Many schools require at least a medical checkup, especially if your child is enrolled in any type of sports. But it’s still a good idea to take them to the dentist, even if your child’s school doesn’t require it. Your family dentist can catch any issues before they get worse, reducing the risk of having to go back once classes start back up.
The dentist will perform an oral exam and clean your child’s teeth. If your child is in sports, your dentist might fit them for a mouthguard. Your dentist may also recommend sealants to reduce the risk of cavities. If you don’t have dental insurance, these treatments can add up, but you do have options available. Using family dental financing allows you to take care of things now, even if you can’t afford the full dollar amount. You can quickly apply for a payment plan with Cherry Financing without any impact on your credit score.
Reestablish a Routine
If you haven’t had a set routine over the summer, setting a routine now can help you and your child get back into the swing of things as the start of the school year approaches. You may have had fewer rules around bedtime, naptime, and screen time. Switching your schedule around all at once can be difficult, so start making small changes now.
Start by slowly shifting your child’s bedtime earlier if you have allowed them to stay up later. Once their bedtime has been shifted and they have adjusted to the change, you can change their wakeup time to the hour they’ll need to get up during the school year. It can take adults a week or two to adjust to a new sleep schedule, so give your child the same chance to adjust to reduce the risk of them becoming overtired later on. This can also make your mornings more peaceful.
Get Your Child Involved in Prep
Kids usually don’t like to be told what to do, especially after a summer of freedom. You can help your child feel more excited about the transition by getting them involved in back-to-school prep. Allow them to make choices like what color their backpack or school supplies are.
You can also allow them to help create the family’s routine. This also helps you understand what their expectations look like and gently realign them if they don’t line up with yours. While these might seem small to you, these things can help your child feel like they have more control over the process.
Help Your Kids Get Excited
Kids often pick up on their parents’ attitudes, and the way you view the end of summer will impact their feelings. If you start talking about how much you’re dreading the busyness of the upcoming school year, your child will start to feel some of your stress. On the other hand, if you focus on the positive aspects, like seeing friends or doing activities your child enjoys, your child will also start to get excited. You can even incorporate some family traditions into going back to school. On the last day of summer vacation, you might choose to get a treat, have a special dinner, or host a celebration with friends.
Get Outside
If you haven’t spent a lot of time outside, there is still time before it starts getting too cold to spend time outside. Home can feel like a comfortable, safe space, but it’s not a good idea for kids to spend all their time indoors. Try to find activities your child can enjoy outside, whether solo or with other kids. They might enjoy going for walks, running around a park, riding a bike, playing tag, or going to the pool. Physical activity will also help your child stay healthier.
Help Your Child Get Oriented
Some schools have back-to-school orientation activities, but you can also do your own with your child. Consider doing a run through, where you go through the morning routine, drive to school, and walk around. This can help your child learn what to expect in a safe environment. This also gives your child a chance to talk about any thoughts or concerns, so you can address them before the real thing.