Back to School It is that time of year again. For many working parents, perhaps it is "the most wonderful time of the year." For most, however, sending the kids back to school means shopping for clothes, school supplies, sports equipment, etc. It may also require managing time to accommodate carpool and bus schedules. This increased responsibility may be the cause of increased anxiety and, in extreme situations, a feeling of being overwhelmed. Below are a few suggestions, which may succeed in alleviating some of that stress: 1) Organize all backpacks or book bags and school supplies the night before. Have your children pack all of their textbooks, sports or after school materials, homework, and lunch money the night before. Store these items beside the front door. 2) Every evening, have children choose their outfit for the following day. Choosing clothes is sometimes difficult for kids. To remedy this, work to organize your child's closet before the school year begins. Repeat this during spring break and transfer out of season clothes into storage to avoid clutter and to facilitate quick decisions. Also, make sure you are aware of any unusual clothing needs for the upcoming week to avoid surprises. 3) Prepare lunch boxes or distribute lunch money to individual backpacks or book bags the night before. Making lunches can often be accomplished with more convenience following dinner while the kitchen is still in use. This may also be a good opportunity to encourage your children to take responsibility for helping around the house. If your children buy their lunch, place the lunch money in an agreed upon container and put this in their bags by the front door. 4) Have a game plan for breakfast. Working parents rarely have time to prepare a large breakfast in the morning. There are nutritious meals, which often require little or no time to prepare (i.e. cold cereal and skim milk, bagels, toast, fruit and yogurt shakes). When time is short, some of these can even be eaten on the way to school. 5) Keep Alert! Even the best made plans go astray. Certain contingencies are impossible to plan for such as a sick child. Before the school year begins, organize your child care resources. Try and arrange for at least three to call upon in the event of an emergency. These suggestions may only be helpful to some of the people and only for some of the time. Although they may seem rather simple, they represent that elusive "organization" for which we all constantly strive. Choose those which work best for you and your family. Finally, even parents with the best intentions will encounter an unexpected event, upsetting the work/family balance. If the frequency of these events increase, you may benefit from some time-management tips. Your EAP can provide you with more resources. If you have any questions, please call. Good luck with the new school year! Written by: Christina Dennis, M.S.W.
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