From summer to back-to-school: how to make the transition easier for the whole family
Back-to-school season: a challenging time for the whole family
For parents who don’t yet have children in school, back-to-school season may seem insignificant. But for others, it marks the beginning of a transition that can be chaotic and stressful. It’s a return to tight schedules, rushed mornings, new routines… and often a flood of emotions.
We talk a lot about children at this time of year, but we must not forget that parents also go through significant changes. New routines, increased responsibilities, and a mental load that skyrockets: the start of the school year is a real challenge for the whole family.
What back-to-school means for parents
Behind the cliché of “first day of school” often lies:
- Reacquainting oneself with the routine set aside during the summer
- Feeling a loss of freedom or control
- Adapting to a new school environment: new school, new teachers, new rules
- Being ready to respond to any call or unexpected event
- Taking care of all the logistics: supplies, personal belongings, documents
- Resuming the preparation of lunch boxes
- Supporting your child’s emotions while managing your own stress
- Observing and anticipating changes in behavior
- Taking on an increased mental load
Remember that going back to school is a process
Going back to school is not a single day fixed in the calendar, but a gradual transition that can last several weeks.
Like any adaptation, it brings with it a mixture of emotions:
- Joy at seeing your child reunited with their friends
- Sadness at seeing them grow up too quickly
- Relief that the first day is over
- Apprehension about the new routine
Society promotes the myth of the perfect parent, capable of handling everything with ease. In reality, it is healthier to aim for the concept of the “good enough parent”: finding a balance between the well-being of the child and that of the parent.
Let go to move forward
During back-to-school season, wanting to control everything is the best recipe for exhaustion. It’s better to accept that everything won’t be perfect.
- Lunches: the important thing is that your child eats their fill; there’s no need to compete with Pinterest templates.
- Social media: avoid comparisons; every family has its own rhythm.
- Homework: if everything isn’t 100% done at the beginning, it’s not the end of the world.
- Routines: know when to be flexible when your child is tired.
- Bring summer moments into everyday life: an improvised outing, a special meal.
Implement a gradual transition
Trying to do everything at once in the first week runs the risk of exhausting the whole family.
- Reintroduce habits gradually: bedtimes, homework, activities
- Keep in mind that it takes about three weeks to change a habit
- Adapt the pace to your child’s energy and mood
Organization and planning: your allies
- Prepare clothes for the week in advance.
- Put school supplies away as soon as you get home.
- Plan your trips in advance to avoid time-related stress.
- Buy supplies early and reuse what you can.
- Prepare the bag and lunch the night before.
- Note important dates on the school calendar.
- Cook in batches to make weeknights easier.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
- Accept help offered by loved ones.
- Use the school catering service if available.
- Use ready-made meals for busy evenings.
Create a positive ritual around the start of the school year
- Special breakfast on the first day
- Balloons or a little surprise in the bag
- Picnic dinner in the living room
- Family board game night
And what about you?
The start of the school year isn’t just for children. You need to take care of yourself too:
- Set aside some time each week just for yourself.
- Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and release tension.
- Listen to music that relaxes you.
- Get enough sleep to recharge your batteries.
We wish you a smooth start to the school year.
And if you feel that organizing everything is becoming too much, don’t hesitate to consult an occupational therapist. This professional can help you better structure your daily life and maintain family balance during this transition period.
Written by Lydia Minier-Boivin, occupational therapist
References :
- Formation Université de Montréal : Ergothérapie et parentalité, mars 2024
- Ça va maman? : magazine en ligne, podcast, infolettre
- Les Belles combines : magazine en ligne, livres
- FDMT : infolettre