By: Stephanie Morgan, a Greenville blogger, writer + teacher.
This is a contributor-submitted Voices piece. Want to join the conversation? We invite you to write for us. Learn how to share your voice here.
If the back-to-school shopping lists, early alarms + carpool traffic don’t drown you first, you’ll soon be headed back to school with your little learners. Here are some tips on how to ease in to a new school year:
👋 Bye Felicia
Plan to be out the door 15 minutes earlier this first week. Everyone else will be running late + waiting until that last minute.
💁 Help a girl out
Every night, pack the lunch, lay out the new kicks, the pretty new dress, whatever necessities + paperwork your kid needs signed. Set the expectations for preparedness early.
🌙 Night Night Fortnite
Time to set limitations on technology. Your kid’s teacher will tell you ‘til they are red in the face that too much technology means your nugget can’t focus on what she’s trying to teach him. Then he’s frustrated. Then she’s frustrated. Then she’s calling you and you’re frustrated.
🙅 Thou shalt not do it all for them.
Set your standards for personal responsibility early. Be an emotional support system, a cheerleader and a right-hand man, but studies continue to teach us that that if your little pumpkins can do it themselves, then they should.
🤔 I Forgot.
Summer learning loss is real. Turn off the radio in the car and drill developmentally appropriate math facts, talk about current events, practice spelling, etc.
🙏 Thank You Very Much
Take time to be thankful in the midst of mayhem. Model appreciation for the staff of your school from the teacher to custodian. Encourage your children to recognize a grateful heart, one that is coachable, open to new friendships, respectful to others, and happy.
May the transition into new learning, and new friendships be smooth sailing and the best one yet.
