7 Steps To Starting The School Year Strong

Beginnings are extremely important because they set the stage for what is to come. They determine whether one will be set up for success and fulfillment or for failure and frustration. As a new school year begins, it is a non-negotiable fact that parents must prepare their children for success!

Rather than playing defense and taking on each battle as it comes, choose to plan ahead. Here are seven stress-busting steps to help your child start the school year strong and end with a successful finish.

Step #7 Realistic Routines. Determine a realistic bedtime for each child and create a nightly routine. Place positive thoughts and emotions in your child’s mind before sending them off to dream. Spend fifteen minutes with each child and download their day as you sit on the side of the bed to invest in each one personally. They will go to sleep not only knowing that you care, but also knowing that they are truly precious to you.

Step #6 Prior Preparations. If you have a morning dawdler, “night before” preparations should be a requirement. Avoid morning arguments by having your child get his/her backpack ready to go and set out tomorrow’s school clothes before going to bed. For those attending schools that do not require uniforms, this is also the time for the parents to determine what acceptable clothing for school is. These are discussions and decisions better dealt with the night before and will make mornings manageable.

Step #5 Study Specifics. Begin the school year with a pre-determined homework plan. Choose the time and location for homework. Your student(s) can earn more independence as the year progresses, but for now, start them in one location and establish the time they must be at the table. This is also the time to select a consequence for not being on time at the pre-determined location. Sound unreasonable? Their future boss will expect them to arrive to meetings on time…this discipline might save their job.

Step #4 Calendar Commitments. Establish a month-at-a-glance family calendar, as well as a month-at-a-glance calendar for each child. This will not only assist in teaching your child time management skills, but it will also help the family realize how many activities they are committing to as a whole. Write the due dates for long term school assignments, such as science projects and book reports, on both calendars. Then, count back out from those due dates so nights can be set aside to read the required books and work on the projects. Scrambling to complete an assignment at the last minute doesn’t teach anything but stress management. A family calendar system will show the family and the child that you really don’t have time to say “yes” to everything.

Step #3 Family First. Decide ahead of time that each week will include a Family Night. With everything else there is to do, life can pass a family by; so it is imperative to make your family a priority. Set aside an hour or two to enjoy your family. Whether you are playing games, enjoying an evening out, creating a masterpiece together, or simply relaxing at home watching a family friendly movie; you can give your children the opportunity to feel like they’re part of something special -- a family.

Step #2 Proper Priorities. Choose your family’s priority activities in advance. Include your children in the process by explaining where the family stands and why. When decisions are made and shared at the beginning of the year, a child is prepared for the answers when situations arise, but more importantly, each child has a clear understanding of their family’s identity, belief system, and priorities. This is also an effective tool in teaching your children that time management decisions are all part of bigger priorities. Most likely, your children will still ask for exceptions, but in their hearts they will already know your answer.

Step #1 Balanced Breakfast. Breakfast is for mood, not for food. There are three essential elements of nourishment your child needs every morning. The most significant element is spiritual nourishment. The second element is family enrichment; and the last one is the actual food. If it were just about food, you could hand them a health bar as they walk out the door. Breakfast is a time for the family to sit and eat together. In addition, it is the perfect time for a parent to read a short passage from the Bible, discuss it, and then pray before everyone goes off to fight the war. Setting aside a time to read a Bible passage is the most important investment a parent can make in their child’s life. Why else do you think it’s so hard to actually do? Minutes spent reading the Bible and praying together help send the children out the door with the realization that they actually belong to something even bigger than their family…they belong to God. This will go a long way in your child’s life when he/she experiences a moment of feeling alone and without value.

Now is the time to take control of your family’s time, start the school year off strong, and set each child up for success.

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