The summer break is almost over! Soon parents and their kids will be back to the hustle and bustle of schooldays. When classes resumes after the summer vacation, anxiety reaches its height for both parents and children due to the sharp deviation in daily routines.

After the lazy, relaxed vacation routines the whole family is suddenly confronted with the hectic affairs of the schooldays like the early school hours, study hours, early sleep schedules and other serious school related routines. This sudden transition can cause panic and unwanted stress both for parents and their children in most families.

With a little bit of smart planning, parents can make the transition from summer break to school days effortless and without unwanted pressures.

Get ahead by preparing your family for the school days in advance

You can make the transition from the relaxed vacation days to the busy school schedules smooth for everyone in the family by slowly introducing the changes that are going to be part of the daily school life, at least a few days before the actual school opening date. This will make the whole family absorb the shock of suddenly getting exposed to the excitements and early hours of school days in a more controlled manner.

This is especially important in families with young school going members. By practicing the school days routines in advance at least one or two weeks before the end of the vacation can make the family get used to the changes with ease. As kids will have difficulties in suddenly coping with the changes from the relaxed bedtimes – late rising and late sleeping routines – of the vacation, parents can help them gradually settle into the school days sleep routine by making them go to the bed early and wake them up early in the last two weeks of the summer break.

Parents can reduce the anxiety levels in their kids about the upcoming school season by having talks with them about positive and exciting things about the approaching school days. Avoid pressuring them with anything negative that can cause the back to school process a stressful one.

Build up a strong school day routine

Parents can make their kids have a stress free morning time during the school days by waking up them a little earlier than required, which will give them plenty of time to finish all their daily tasks and preparations for school in a relaxed manner. It will allow them to avoid rushed morning sessions before school, which usually lead to skipping breakfasts or forgetting important school related things.

Ensure that they have time for a healthy breakfast and make sure that they are not skipping their breakfast. In the evenings adjust their dinner time to include fixed schedules for daily studies, class homework, activities and family sessions. Make sure that enough time is set into their morning and evening routines during school days for personal hygiene and proper care is given to the body to rest and recuperate.

Parents can help their kids in smartly organizing their daily tasks. A lot of confusion in the morning can be avoided, if they can instill in their children the habit of arranging everything required for the school next day, every evening before going to bed.

Eating healthy is vital

Kids require a lot of energy during school days to concentrate, perform and tackle the stress that is part of their daily academic routine. Parents can help their kids to meet the energy requirements by making sure that they are taking solid, healthy meals, starting with a protein rich breakfast. A rich, relaxed and healthy breakfast will help your kids in having a bright start to their school day.

Include lots of vegetables, fruits and fluids into their daily meals during school days. Staying hydrated the whole day long, even if the kids are indoor inside their classes, is very important. Make sure they are taking plenty of clean water and other fluids like healthy juices as part of their meal routine throughout the day.

Promote activities that make their body and mind strong and sharp

School days are not entirely about academic learning alone. Encouraging your kids to engage in various physical – like daily exercises, cycling and swimming – and mental – like reading, arts and crafts – activities can help them in making their body and mind healthy.

Having daily communication with their kids is important for a parent in giving the right guidance to their children and for positively helping them with their academic routine. Once the school begins, invest at least a few minutes every day to have conversations with your kids about their day at school. This will allow your kids to share their emotions about their school and will help you both in having a happy academic year.