Back to School  

Though the temperature certainly still feels like summer, the shocking reality exists that school restarts later this month. Hopefully your summer has had some relaxation and ease and less of the school year’s busyness.  While we should all make the most of summer’s goodness for as long as we can, making some gentle adjustments to prepare for school restarting can get the school year started in a good way for your child and family. 

So many of the youth I saw this summer in the clinic told me they are staying up most nights until 2am, 3am, even 5am!  Summer means late bedtimes for many of us as we enjoy the magic of warm summer nights, but when school starts, early nights are the key to your child getting enough sleep.  For most people, switching their sleep schedule takes some time.  Starting weeks before the first day of school, begin moving your child’s bedtime back a little each night so by the time that first day arrives, they will be able to fall asleep early enough to get the sleep their bodies and brains need to be their best at school. 

The start of the new school year is a great time to set up schedules so that not only sleep, but all the things that matter in your family have their scheduled time during the day.  Help your child figure out what schedule works best for them and with your family when it comes to homework, rest, snacks, meals, exercise, etc.  Setting it up from the beginning of the year can create routines so that your child creates healthy habits and hopefully complains a little less about doing their homework.   

Speaking of homework, a new school year is a good time for us as parents and caregivers to check in with ourselves about our expectations for our kids around academics.  One of the recommendations I hear often from experts is to focus on the process and the learning and less on the outcomes.  It is so easy to just focus on grades, but the long-term goal is to help our kids be motivated from within to try their hardest and strive for their goals – not because of outside validation.  We can help them develop this by talking less about A’s and B’s and more about how they are learning to think and trying their hardest. 

Lastly, the start of the school year is a time to help our kids with their mental health when at school.  Talk about bullying and who to talk to if it occurs.  Talk about resilience in the ups and downs of friendship relationships.  Encourage them to identify at least one positive coping method for when things are stressful and a trusted adult they can go to when they need help. 

I hope you and your family can fully enjoy these last beautiful days of summer and start out the new school year in a good way. 

You can make an appointment for your child to be seen at the Southern Ute Health Clinic for back-to-school questions or anything else by calling 970-563-4581.