How to Mentally Prepare for Back to School

With one week before school starts, now is the time to mentally prepare for your children going back to school. We know that getting organized and establishing a new routine makes the transition smoother.

This year is going to be different as we still navigate this pandemic. I’ll be sharing tips on how to prepare mentally for back to school.

What are the effects of the pandemic on schools?

Schools across the country are still figuring out how to keep students safe during this pandemic. With a new variant floating around will schools even stay open this year.

I have all four of my children set to begin in over a week. Masks are still mandatory at school as well as social distancing.

I am hoping they can find a way to keep children safe while getting back in school.

Maintaining mental strength during this stressful time is important. It is going to take time to adjust to your new routine. Waking up early, rushing in the morning, and standing in that dreadful car line. It is enough to make you lose it.

What is mental strength and how to maintain it

Mental strength is the ability to handle stressors, pressure, and challenges and bounce back from unfortunate circumstances.

Mental strength is fundamental to living your best life.

It must be developed using techniques to improve resiliency and positive self-esteem. Some people find it easier than others but we all can develop this skill.

The 4 C’s of Mental Strength are:

Control- having a sense of control over your life, your ability to change it, and your emotions/reaction to situations.
Commitment- setting goals and sticking to achieving them without getting distracted.
Challenge – seeing challenges as opportunity to learn and expand rather than avoiding them out of fear of failure.
Confidence- having the belief in yourself, your abilities/skills, and knowing you can weather any storm

This article by positive psychology explains mental strength and techniques you can use to increase your mental toughness

How to mentally prepare for back to school

Create a family calendar or spreadsheet with all your children’s activities

Plan ahead if you are going on vacation so that you have someone who can take care of your kids

Make sure that you have an emergency backup in case of a day when there is no school

Make sure to get your child’s lunch prepared and pack their backpack the night before

Set an earlier bedtime so everyone gets enough rest to be productive the next day

Create a morning routine with enough time for you, breakfast, and commute

Have the expectation that things will not always go according to schedule

Plan accordingly

Talk with your children often about their day, what’s going on at school, and what they have trouble with

Stay in contact with the teacher and have open communication

If it don’t apply let it fly. Don’t let misunderstandings cause big blow ups. We are all adults, talk it out.

Don’t spend your days stressing about your children.

Start the morning with mental exercises such as deep breathing and meditation

28 Positive Affirmations for moms

After drop off, do something you find relaxing or soothing such as a walk in nature, coffee with a friend, shopping, or sleeping

The mental preparation for the start of school is not just about making sure that your kids are physically ready to go. Preparation starts weeks before and includes mental toughness, organization, and a back-to-school routine.

It will take time to adjust to a new routine, waking up earlier, scheduling around school hours, reconnecting with friends, developing new friendships, getting acquainted with the teacher, and dealing with anxiety over catching coronavirus.

Remain positive and enjoy the time you have.

As always,

Be You Confidently