We don’t even know what “Back to School” will look like in September, and I find myself more and more using the term “Back to Class.” Because really, will they be going back to school?
I have kids in elementary school, high school and university. It seems that EACH of my six children has a return to study that looks different from any of their siblings. So how can we prepare our kids when we don’t know what the fall will look like?
Be Honest
Let them know that while there is uncertainty and you don’t have the answers, you are going to be keeping in touch with the school and staying updated on the news so that as soon as you have the information, you can share it with them. Show your kiddos that regardless of how the fall shapes up, you have confidence that your family can handle it. If they see Mama approaching this uncertainty with positivity, it will be easier for them to do the same.
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Set Schedules
Kids (and parents!) function better when there is a schedule in place. Things have gone off the rails in a lot of homes, with kids staying up late, eating at weird times and spending a lot of time on screens. That is OK, but as we approach the fall, you might want to get those sleep patterns back on track, create time for outdoor play, reading and other activities that might help the transition go more smoothly.
Meet and Greet
Often children meet or know their new teachers before the school year starts. This may not be the case for your student this year. Be sure to set up a Zoom call or physically distanced meeting with your teacher so your child goes into that first day of class, whether it be online or in school, feeling familiar with their teacher. If your child is attending school for the first time, try to have a visit to the school yard so that they know the “lay of the land” on their first day.
Remember, “Back to Class” may look like staying home, going to school or some hybrid of both. The transition will be a little different this year. This is a trying time for parents, so be kind to yourself and know that you’re not alone.
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Julie’s Back to School Product Recommendations
This year, more than ever, we must be cautious of the spread of germs in the classroom. Mabel’s Labels is the BEST way to make sure all your school supplies, lunch boxes, water bottles and clothes are labelled.
Your kids can easily identify what items are theirs and can help avoid germy mix-ups! I recommend our Ultimate Back to School Combo for personalized labels and in the case your district requires a face mask, I recommend our adorable Kids Face Masks.
Best of luck this school year, you’ve got this!
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Julie Cole is the co-founder of award-winning children’s label manufacturer Mabel’s Labels. She helped her company bring their product to a worldwide market, gain media recognition and has won countless entrepreneur awards. Cole is a regular television contributor, an influential and syndicated blogger and a mother of six. Shop her award-winning kids name labels at mabelslabels.com or follow her on Instagram @cole.julie.
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