BACK TO SCHOOL: Lessen the stress of the first day back

BURNET — Let’s face it: Going back to school feels like a mixed blessing to some degree. The kids are finally heading back after a summer off, and you’re ready for them to be there, but you also realize there are some added stresses — for you as well as your children — when making the transition.

Some kids make the move with ease, while others don’t.

Here are a few tips to get your kids (and yourself) ready for the first day of school and then some.

• Return to a school night bedtime. Summer might have brought a more relaxed bedtime, but for at least the week leading up to the first day, start getting the kids in bed at their regular, school bedtime. Don’t wait until the night before the first day.

• Get them up early. Like the bedtime, it’s a good idea to start rousing kids from bed at the normal school morning time the week or so before the first day. Then, get them going on their morning routine for class.

• Give yourself time. The last thing you want to do the first day of school, or really any day, is rush. So plan for enough time and then add a few more minutes.

• Practice the school routine. As with anything new, it might take a few times to really get your child in a routine. You might even want to take a couple of dry runs of loading up in the car, heading to school and driving through the drop-off line. It let’s them see what it’s like and gives you a chance to map it all out.

• Take advantage of meet-the-teacher nights. Take your child along, let them look at the classroom and meet the teacher. This is also a good time to take care of any school paperwork if you still have some left and even drop off school supplies. That way, you’re not trying to pack it all in on the first day of school.

• Get a checklist. For the first several days, you might want a checklist of items your child needs for school. You know: lunch, backpack, water bottle …

• Keep supplies in a designated space. Keep backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes and other school things in a regular spot, so in the morning, you and your kids know exactly where they are instead of running around the house in a panic trying to find a shoe.

• Pack lunches the night before. If you’re packing your child’s lunch, try and do it the night before. That way, it’s one less thing to do in the morning.

• Be supportive. For some kids, going back to school is a stressful time, so be supportive and use reassuring words. They might still be a bit apprehensive, but if you share your belief in them, that will help.

• Don’t hang around. While it’s natural to want to hang around the first day during drop-off, it’s often best to get your child to class and leave — even if your child is crying. Tell them you love them and go. If you linger, it only makes it worse for you and your child. Teachers can handle this, and your child will be all right. You on the other hand….