Fennemore Parents Share Tips on Easing the Back-to-school Transition

The sweet sounds of the end of summer are upon us. The roar of the back-to-school season is quickly rumbling with the anticipation of a new year kicking up all kinds of emotions for kids, parents and their caregivers. The first days of school can be a challenging time for all. Navigating new schedules and teachers and possibly even new schools can trigger anxiety when that first school bell rings. However, with good planning the transition can be smoother for all. While the needs and concerns vary greatly depending on a child’s age some basic planning make sense for all kids K through 12.

We offer some insights from Parents Magazine which is a great resource for in-depth tips from childhood experts by age and stage which you can view in full here. We also checked in with a few Fennemore parents who shared some of their tips on to conquer the back-to-school challenges.

Establish a routine and structure at home.

Summer months can sometimes lead to less daily structure. According to experts restoration or establishment of a predictable routine at home can significantly alleviate back to school anxiety especially in grade school children. Consistent bedtimes, mealtimes, and designated study periods can provide a sense of security and stability, easing the back-to-school transition. It also helps you more meticulously balance your work/life demands if there is a schedule in place that you can do your best to work around.

Openly communicate about the new school year.

Ask your child how they are feeling about the coming year. Be positive yet empathetic if they openly show signs of anxiety. Encourage open communication with your child and caregiver about the new daily schedule and associated responsibilities to promote calm and minimize chaos.

Do a dry run walk or drive.

If your child is in a new school or going to have their first school experience, give them and your caregiver a preview of the morning route whether walking, driving or taking the bus. Let your child see the school and discuss the entrance procedure.

Find a walking or bus buddy.

If a neighbor or playmate is attending the same school, consider inviting them to join you in the school orientation along with your respective caregivers. This wil make the transport more social and help your child feel less anxious while cultivating friendships.

Here are some great tips from a few Fennemore parents:

Be ready and take advantage of Fennemore’s hybrid work option.

Nikki Roberts, Director, Real Estate Practice Group, Fennemore Denver (RiNo)

I order school supplies online a few weeks in advance so that there is no need for last-minute trips to the store with kids in tow looking through depleted shelves. I add
the school calendar to my personal calendar, which is shared with my husband so that all school breaks, etc. are not surprises. I also work from home on days that the
kids have after-school activities so that Ido not have to shorten my work day to shuttle them around.

Be organized and make time for yourself and your child.

Jennifer Knight Lang, Of Counsel, Business Litigation, Fennemore Denver

I have a big calendar project going on right now and recently implemented the “mom gets 30 minutes” per day rule (I don’t know how I ever lived without that before). Another idea I want to do this year – a special day one-on-one with each of my kids, which includes back to school shopping, going out to lunch, and other treats. My son starts kindergarten this year, so I really want to spend quality time with him before he takes the big step into elementary school.

Lean on and build the “parent” community.

Robin Thornton, Director, Business Litigation, Fennemore Oakland

Chances are most of your clients, colleagues, and friends are in the muck too, or, at a minimum, can reflect on their time in the trenches or relate to the added traffic in their neighborhood from the collective school drop offs. No one goes it alone. Am I the only one relieved when the structure of the school year starts? I honestly think it makes finding the balance easier provided no one gets sick. I look forward to starting the day on the walk to school talking about what the school day might look like and then using the walk back home to knock out quick phone calls or to go through a checklist of my own day.

Get to know your child’s teachers to quell concerns.

Chris Levkulich, Of Counsel, Fennemore Denver (RiNo)

Not knowing my kids’ teachers well causes me stress. Now, I like to meet my kids’ teachers in person as soon as I can. Parents will be working with the teachers for the next ten months, and it is helpful to establish a relationship (and get on the teacher’s good side) as soon as you can. Don’t wait until parent-teacher conferences!

Seek out co-workers who are also going through the back-to-school transition and capture some time from your commute by working from home occasionally.

It is never difficult to get your co-workers to talk about their kids, and I always get a couple of good tips from listening to their experiences. To strive for good work/life balance, I typically work in the office. But during the school year I like to work from home occasionally so that I can pick up the kids from school and spend time with them that would otherwise be spent commuting. Your kids are young for only a short time – so, if you want to spend time with them while they are young, you need to make time when they are young.

In Conclusion

Building a strong partnership with those who are part of your parental journey can provide valuable insights into your child’s academic and emotional well-being at school. Take advantage of Fennemore’s hybrid work and remote work options to help you optimize your work/life balance. And be sure to look to your Fennemore colleagues to share your experiences and insights about the parental journey. Chances are they will welcome sharing their own experiences and give you a greater sense of community.