For many of us, this week marks the first full week at school for six months. As hard as this year has been, we’ve gotten used to homeschooling, working from home, and being alone with the people in our household, all of the time. You might have had struggles, and at times you may have hated it, but hopefully, you’ve also been able to take some pleasure from time together.
However you have found it, the return to school runs, early starts, ironing uniforms, and packing lunches might have come as a bit of a shock. You might also be dealing with your children’s anxieties, new ways of doing things, staggered start times, and other changes in this new, post-lockdown world. It’s tough. No doubt, you’ll soon get used to things again. But, for these first few weeks, simple survival, without any tears or tantrums, might be the best that you can hope for. Here are some tips to make these first few weeks of school a bit easier to handle.
Give Yourself a Break
We’ve all gotten used to lockdown somewhat. You might have started to enjoy taking your time with things, not having the pressures of seeing people, and not having to get up. Even if you’ve been looking forward to the kids going back to school, having to brave it while still being worried about COVID-19 and what might happen next is bound to take it out of you. By the end of these first weeks, most parents will be exhausted. So, rest when you can. Enjoy a good book in a hot bubble bath, watch your favourite film, and make the most of putting the kids to bed early when they are exhausted.
Get into a Routine
Most of our lives have been distinctly lacking in routine for the last six months, which is what will make these weeks difficult. But the faster you get back into a school routine, the sooner it will start to feel normal again. Start getting into good habits, like packing bags the night before or preparing lunches in advance to make life easier. Here are more great tips for a stress free school run.
Reintroduce Things Slowly
Getting back to school doesn’t mean that you have to get back to everything else in your life, all at the same time. It’s ok to take a few more weeks off the gym or to carry on limiting your social interactions for a while. Focus on your return to being a school run mom until it starts to feel normal again. Then, build up the rest of your life from there.
Enjoy it
We generally look forward to the kids going back to school after the six weeks holiday. So, you should really enjoy this. Enjoy having time to yourself, or to work in peace. Enjoy not having to rush and not having to think about things to do all of the time. Enjoy getting some time for yourself, and don’t feel guilty about it.
Getting back into the swing of real life is bound to come as a bit of a shock, but it will very quickly start to feel normal again if you let it.
