Its true: back-to-school stress happens to parents, too.
But it doesnt have to be this way.
Read on to learn Nobiles top tips.
Time-related stress
Time is the most significant pressure point, for most parents, Nobile says.
To stay on top of things, many parents create detailed family schedules.
But ironically, this scheduling can even be a time-sucking activity, especially when youre coordinating multiple peoples calendars.
a New York-based psychologist and director ofNobile Psychology
This time suck alone can be enough to overwhelm any family system.
Financial stress
Back-to-school season can also be expensive.
And lets not forget all the extra fees for sports, after-school activities, and field trips.
The costs really add up, Nobile says.
Unsurprisingly, money was the top cause of back-to-school stress for more than half of surveyed parents.
Emotional stress
As a parent, you worry about your childs well-being all day, every day.
It just comes with the territory.
While school should be a safe place for every kid, sadly, thats not always the case.
The rise in school shootings is another real threat.
a New York-based psychologist and director ofNobile Psychology
They worry: Will my child make friends in the lunchroom?
Will they be able to keep up with the workload?
Will they develop bad habits and lose their intellectual curiosity?
For parents, these worries can be overwhelming, she adds.
Shift bedtimes
Part of the appeal of summer for kids is looser bedtime rules.
Who doesnt love staying up late to watch TV and sleeping in the next day?
As school starts up again, though, the need for more structured sleep returns.
If youre adjusting sleep schedules to begin the school year, Nobile recommends doing it slowly.
Start shifting routines a week or two before the first day of school, she says.
Keep shaving off another 15 minutes every few days until theyre in bed by 8.
Its not a good feeling.
The best way to avoid sticker shock when it comes to back-to-school expenses is to plan ahead.
This way you dont get hit with a major financial blow all at once, she says.
And the best part?
You usually get a discounted price when you sign up.
Hang it in a central place in your home where everyone will see it, like the kitchen.
Another calendar pro-tip:Assign a specific color for each family member.
This also allows everyone to see whats coming up and eases the stress of being overwhelmed by logistics.
Designate a prep station for mornings
Morning schooldays can be chaotic, especially if youre running late.
But planning ahead can set you up for success.
Nobile says batch-prepping lunches on Sunday removes any indecision around what to make for the kids during the week.
And this prep doesnt have to take up the entire day.
Spend a few minutes cutting up vegetables or pre-packing snacks into individual servings, she says.
Findingpre-packaged snacksthat come in single portionslike nuts, trail mix, or protein barscan also be a big help.
Centralize school paperwork
Do your kids often bring home a steady stream of school paperwork each day?
To keep the paper chaos at bay, Nobile suggests creating a centralized system.
By keeping all papers in one designated place, this method helps to reduce clutter and avoid missed deadlines.
But a successful manager knows how to delegate tasks to get things done.
Nobile recommends assigning daily tasks or chores to your kids.
], Nobile says.
This can help the kids decompress from the school day and provide a break for everyone.
Create a carpool online grid
As the saying goes, it takes a village.
Carpooling is one great example of that.
In other words, everyone benefits and feels more supported.
(This is totally natural!)
If, however, youre having an especially hard time, dont be afraid to ask for professional help.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons 238(4):p 671-678, April 2024.
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