We just started back to school on Tuesday – much later than many of you. Our family ended summer with a nice beach fire and it was delightful!
The transition to the school year can be hard, but I have found several tips and tricks that help our family get back into the groove with less stress, anxiety and losing our patience!
I cover many awesome tips in my Back 2 School Survival Guide – a wonderful resource with topics every parent wants to be in the know about, as well as editable PDF printables to help things run smoothly! It has been a life saver for many of you who have grabbed it over the years.
Let’s cover some of my top tips to help with the beginning of the school year!
Rhythm and Routine
Just like a rhythm and routine is critical to our success as a mother and manager of our home, our kids need a very similar routine to succeed. I shared specific steps to create a morning routine for your child in a previous post and know it will help you. We all want to send our kids off to school with a feeling of success, instead of failure.
When expectations are not clearly outlined for our children, they lose focus, control and feel lost. It is up to use to help them have an outline. The same goes for after school expectations. Creating a printable list for tasks for your child to complete after school helps develop independence as well as a pride in their work.
Promote Healthy Focus
Oh mama – this is an area we deal with daily!! We have a little guy who struggles with focusing and staying on task. I have had to come up with some effective ways to keep us both sane!
This is where we open my mom toolbox of beloved essential oils. I am able to easily mix up a blend of Cedarwood, Vetiver, and Lavender essential oils in a roller ball bottle, add a bit of carrier oil – like Young Living’s V-6 or some coconut oil and we are armed!
I’ve been using this blend on my seven year old since he was three – because it works! It helps him stay focused, calms his little mind down from racing and helps him have a successful day by completing tasks and schoolwork successfully. Don’t we want that for our kids?
And, if you happen to struggle with focus, I mean… some of us amazing moms do….this blend is for you too! All ages and stages – one of the reasons I love having essential oils in my mom toolbox!
Prep for Healthy Lunches
We all know a healthy breakfast will help your child have a great morning, but do you really take into consideration the lunch you pack and how it will either help your child with great energy during their afternoon, or perhaps impact their body in a negative way?
Last year I bought a small compartment bento lunch box and it was the best investment I have made in helping me with packing a fun and healthy lunch. Not only did the lunchbox last the entire school year, we are using it this year too!
I love the compartments and that I can easily find healthy items to put into each section, like lunchmeat rolled up with some cheese, some diced kiwi (my sons favorite!) dry roasted almonds, carrots, celery and even olives. I also grabbed these small containers and they fit right inside the container slots and I can add things like the olives without the juice flowing to other items and the main lid just fits right on.
Sending sugary items, foods filled with lots of additives can really affect your child in a negative way. Some food can even make them irritable and groggy, so take some time to send good for them items!
Good Sleep
You might think this is just for your child, but we all need a restful nights sleep. Allowing our body to regenerate and rest.
Does your child struggle to wind down at the end of the day?
Do they toss and turn until late in the evening before they settle in to sleep?
Do they wake in the morning finding it hard to get up and get going?
Perhaps you fall into one of those situations?
Here again, our essential oil collection provides an easy and totally natural way to promote a really restful nights sleep.
Our favorite blend to apply topically or use in our diffuser, is Lavender and Cedarwood essential oils. However, we love having other oils to interchange in order to clam us down in the evening. I will often put some Stress Away in the diffuser while we are settling down after dinner and the magic begins! Bedtime routines are much easier, as everyone is ready to brush teeth, read and snuggle down into bed.
Space to Exhale
Our lives are busy and with the beginning to the school year often comes many after school activities. However, I have found it very beneficial to have some down time immediately after school, instead of just rushing off to the next thing.
When your child comes home, spend a few minutes with them to ask about their day. Finding time to just exhale from all the activity of the day is a great transition for kids. Depending on your schedule and your day, I suggest allotting at least 15-20 minutes for your child to just relax. Just like you and I need some downtime, your child really benefit form it too.
Here’s to a great school year for you and your family!
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