It happens to the best of us–even us adults. We have a long break off from work for vacation or the holidays, and it's hard to get back into our normal, everyday routine. So we can't blame our kids for having a rough time getting back into the day-to-day routine of going to school after a nice, long break for the holidays. Here are some great suggestions for making the transition back to the school routine as smooth as possible:

Ease Into Early Mornings
Don't wait until the first day back to school to wake your kids up at 6 a.m. or sooner. Instead, encourage them to start waking up earlier each day the week before, so they will gradually work up to their early mornings again. They will be happier, and the transition from sleeping in to waking up early will be a lot smoother. You don't want your kids to be groggy on their first day back at school!

Prepare the Night Before
Make sure your children have everything ready for their first day back, instead of scrambling around the morning-of. Lay out their outfits or uniforms, shoes, backpacks and supplies. If you are waiting on a supply list from your child's teacher, make sure they have the essentials for their first week back–pencils, pens, 3-prong folders and notebook paper.

Encourage Healthy Eats
Now that the holidays are over, it's a good time to get your children back into the routine of eating healthy, nutritious breakfasts and lunches. Help your children plan what they will take for lunch, including plenty of fruits and veggies and whole grains. Allow them to help pack their own lunches or make their own breakfasts, as they will be more likely to eat them if they took part in the preparation. A healthy breakfast and lunch will help kids stay focused and energized at school.

Schedule Homework Time
Your children may want to play outside as soon as they get home from school, especially since they just spent a few weeks relaxing and getting into a routine that did not include the word "homework." To break them from this routine, be firm and set aside a specific time for homework. Encourage them to finish their homework during this time by allowing them some play time when they finish. Setting a specific time as "homework time" will get them into a routine that they can follow for the rest of the school year.

We all wish the holidays were a little bit longer, but just like parents have to get back to work, children have to get back to school. Set a good example for your children by showing your excitement for the New Year and a fresh start back to work, and they will follow your lead as they head back to school. The LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County is dedicated to setting good examples and helping teens make good choices. Visit us online to find out how you can help the teens in your life say “no” to drugs.

The start of a new school year may bring about excitement or dread, but either way, your teen needs the right tools to get the year started off well. Everything from the best supplies to a healthy lunch and a daily routine can help your teen succeed in school this year.

The transition from summer back to school can be a tough one for parents and kids! Here are some ways to make the transition a little smoother and make sure kids stay on track all year long.

Ease into a Morning Routine

Your son has been sleeping in until lunchtime, and you have no clue how he’s going to suddenly begin waking up at 5:30 to make it to the bus stop. The trick is to slowly work up to waking up early again. One to two weeks before school starts, have your kids start getting up early and gradually progress to the time they need to be up for school.

Get Supplies

Getting the right supplies can do wonders for organization, and thus keep kids on track. A bound notebook for every class or a large one with dividers for every class can be a great tool for teens to keep all their subjects separated. This will make it easier to find everything (and study) later on! Check with your child’s individual school for a list of recommended supplies.

Make time for Homework!

By the time your kids are in high school, they should know when they’ve got to do their homework. But they might be putting if off until last minute and jeopardizing their grades. Reinforce the importance of homework and remind your teens that they should set time aside each day to get some done. That way it doesn’t all pile up.

… And time for Friends

Allow your teens to have time on the weekend with friends on the condition that they do homework during the weekday nights. Giving them the reward of seeing their friends will make them more inclined to focus on the task at hand—homework—during the week.

Nourish Their Mind and Body

Let your teens help with groceries. If they can pick their foods for lunch, they’ll be more likely to eat them, and eating lunch is better than no lunch! Breakfast is also a meal that can’t be overlooked. Eating breakfast helps kids focus better during the school day and keeps them full until lunchtime. If your teens are participating in afterschool sports, then it’s even more important they get proper nutrition.

Pay Attention!

Don’t let your parenting fall by the wayside when the school year starts. Pay attention to your kids and lookout for any changes. If their personalities seem different, or if they are eating, sleeping or acting differently, it may mean something is wrong. Make sure you talk with your teens and know their schedule, including which classes they have, what time sports practice is, what clubs they are in, etc.

Whether your children are going to school for the first time or starting the senior year of high school, you play an important role in supporting them and helping them stay on track. Remember that communication between you and your kids is the easiest way to stay informed and know how their school year is going.

Avoiding Peer Pressure

If your kids are in middle or high school, it is definitely time to begin talking to them about substance abuse. Talk to them about peer pressure and remind them that they can turn to you for anything. Explain ways to avoid giving in to peer pressure. Stay involved in their lives and make sure you pay attention to their behaviors.

For more ideas about helping your kids through the school year, check out LiveFree! We are a community-focused organization that is dedicated to educating people about and ending substance abuse.

Sources:

Start a Successful School Year—and Keep it Going! (Parent Further)

Ten Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe in School (Momtastic)

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Making the Most of Your Study Session

Setting an Example for Your Children