7 Mistakes Parents Should Avoid Now That Kids Are Ready to Return to School

Raising a child means that you’re always wondering if you’ve done things correctly or if maybe you should’ve acted differently. And while there isn’t one right answer for every problem, there are definitely some mistakes you can avoid. Going back to school can be very stressful for kids and parents, and having a smooth beginning is important. Over-emotional reactions and being unprepared are surely 2 big no-nos.

Bright Side realizes that going back to school can be hard, and avoiding these mistakes will possibly make the transition a bit easier.

1. An overly emotional drop-off at school

Many kids, when they go to school for the first time or return after a wonderful summer, start crying, displaying a lot of emotion. They don’t want to be separated from their parents, who serve as their safe space. However, it’s not only kids that can get emotional, but also the parents who have to let go of their little ones. That being said, it’s common for both of them to start crying near the entrance of the schoolyard.

The first thing you need to do is control your own stress and anxiety since kids pick up on these feelings and react in a similar way. Also, sticking around until your child stops crying won’t work since their anxiety will keep on increasing. Just say, “Goodbye,” get back in the car and hide your tears behind the wheel. A good strategy would be to visit the school before it’s time to attend so your kid can get acquainted with the environment.

2. Not helping kids with homework or time management

Teaching your children independence is very important, but it will take some time and effort on your part until that happens. At first, kids need guidance in order to learn how to manage their time and do their homework. If they have a school project due next week, they might not know that they have to start preparing now. As parents, you should teach them that they can’t leave things to the last minute.

Even high schoolers may need some monitoring and help at the beginning of the school year. They, more than anyone else, carry such a heavy workload that they can feel overwhelmed at times. You might not be an expert teacher, but you can offer the amount of help that you are capable of. Even your suggestions about time management and setting priorities can be vital.

3. Projecting your own fears onto the children

Parents have the same amount of anxiety, if not more so, as their kids when it’s time for them to go to school. That’s because they know how important it is to make a good impression and perform well in the classroom. One mistake they make is transferring their worries to their children without realizing the damage it can cause. Of course, it’s important that the kid knows about certain things, but being worried about them won’t do any good.

If you feel that your stress is too much around the return to school, you can contact a therapist. They will help you tame your anxiety and not transfer it to your child. It’s important to know why your anxiety levels are so high and find a way to process the whole thing so it won’t become an issue for your child.

4. Not buying the supplies a child needs

Oftentimes, parents think that they know exactly what their children need for school. However, that can end up being quite unpleasant for your kid, as they’ll have to attend school without a lot of the supplies they need. If you’re not sure what the necessities are, you can call the school or the teacher and ask what is needed. Even if you think that the school can provide some of the basics, it’s always best to have your kid carry them just in case.

Also, you should keep in mind that trendy, flashy supplies aren’t always your best option. Just because some pencils have a picture of your kid’s favorite cartoon character on them, it doesn’t mean that they will work well. It might be extra hard to sharpen them with all that plastic over them. Additionally, you might need to spend a bit more money, if possible, to buy the better brand instead of the cheaper one.

5. Stuffing children’s schedules with activities

The mistake some parents make is thinking that the more activities a child does, the better equipped they will be later in life, so they stuff every single day of the week with multiple activities that exhaust the kid. Yes, activities are very beneficial if your kid wants to do them, but they shouldn’t take up all of your child’s free time.

Downtime is of tremendous importance for children just as much as it is for adults. They might have more energy, but they also need some time when they can just sit in their rooms and play their game of choice. The best solution would be to ask the kid what activities they like to do and make a schedule that will be the same throughout the school year.

6. Talking badly about the teaching staff in front of the kids

Teachers and parents don’t always agree on everything, which can be pretty frustrating. However, the worst thing parents can do is trash-talk the teaching staff in front of their kids. Children should be able to form their own opinions on people and not have someone else tell them how to feel. This can create a lot of tension inside the classroom and play a negative role on a child’s education.

Studies have shown that teachers that have a great relatioship with a kid’s parents are willing to put more effort into this kid’s education. It’s okay if you have different feelings, but maintaining a good relationship with the teaching staff can be very beneficial for your child.

7. Letting children miss the first days of school

While nothing academic might be happening during the first days of school, it is important that the children are there. It’s the time when rules, expectations, and new relationships between the kids and the teachers are being made. It’s better to have all the kids introduced to one another at the same time rather than have a newcomer be introduced to an entire class that has already formed a bond.

Also, the teacher’s job becomes even harder to make sure the new kid feels welcome and is included. Kids make friendships so fast that missing just 1 week of school can mean that a lot of kids have already made other friends.

Are you worried about your kids going back to school? Does your child get separation anxiety, and if so, how do you confront this issue?