“Break went so fast,” my son said, moping about the kitchen. “I don’t wanna go back to school.” I knew he’d enjoyed our quick family getaway along with the lazy afternoons around the house to veg. Though I knew there’d be perks back at school (seeing friends!), my kid’s blue eyes hadn’t looked this sad since his fish died. And I wanted to make the transition easier for him.
If you have a teen who stresses about school or just doesn’t want to walk through those double doors again, here are 7 ways to ease him back into the early mornings and long school days. Going back to school after the holidays can be tough. But hopefully, you can help smooth out the bumps.
1. Set or revise goals.
Ask your teen what she has in store for the upcoming semester, but keep it casual, maybe during a dinner conversation or while you’re folding laundry. Is she spending too much time on after-school activities? Are her grades where she wants them? Whether it’s a conversation or brainstorm session on paper, help your teen determine her goals. It could give her more purpose getting up in the morning and as she pushes through the rest of the year.
2. Make mornings a little special.
“I’m up,” my son said, lying in bed with his eyes still shut. I sympathized. It’s tough to get back into the swing of things after break. But we can help ease our teens into the second half of the school year by making the mornings special. Maybe it’s setting out his cereal bowl before he gets to the kitchen or by announcing that “we have cinnamon rolls” as he struggles to wake up. You know your kid best. What would make his morning a little more special?
3. Give your teen permission during the week to take breaks or check out.
I’m going to give my teens more time to relax. Yes, I know they have projects and exams around the corner. But part of growing up is learning how to organize one’s time. Teens may need reminders, but it’s going to be good for all of us if we’re not breathing down each other’s necks. And if one of my teens hops online for a bit to take a break? As long as she gets her work done and isn’t up too late, I’m going to be OK with it.
4. Keep the stress level low at home.
My 16-year-old wants less stress. As a high school student, he’s got a lot to think about. And going back to school after the holidays can bring back all those feelings of stress because suddenly, you’re expected to be places on time with deadlines to meet. “How can I help you?” I asked him. After some thought, we agreed on less chores for a while and less evening commitments. Some kids, like my son, just need more time to relax in the evenings. It eases their stress. I could help with that.
5. Put weekly fun activities on the calendar.
If teens struggle with going back to school after the holidays, they could use something fun to look forward to. Maybe it’s a weekend movie with friends or a trip to the mall with you. Even something as small as getting Thai takeout on Friday can be something to look forward to. What do they enjoy? What can you write on the kitchen calendar to give your teens something to get excited about?
6. Tell yourself you won’t mention grades for the first two weeks back.
If you’re used to checking in on your teen’s assignments, maybe you step back for while. Even though I get a grade summary sent to my inbox every Friday evening, I’m resolving not to mention it to my teen unless there’s major cause for concern. I’ve learned over the years that assignments marked “missing” are sometimes because teachers haven’t yet updated their gradebooks. Hold off on mentioning grades for a bit and the transition from break may be smoother.
7. Give your teen grace when he messes up.
Kids will make mistakes, especially after a nice break from school. When my daughter sent me a message she’d forgotten her water bottle, I decided I’d help her out and drive it up at lunchtime. If your teen is usually super organized and even-keeled but forgets to turn in his homework or loses his cool at home, try giving him grace. Going back to school after the holidays may not seem like a big deal to us, but for teens who are returning to the pressures of schoolwork and trying to look put together in front of teachers and peers, it can be a lot.
Going back to school after the holidays may not seem like a big deal to us, but for teens, it can be a lot. Click To TweetYou may worry about your teen while he’s at school, especially if he’s had trouble getting back into the swing of things. Print out our 10 Ways to Pray for Your Child at School and hopefully, it’ll make his transition—and both of your days—a little easier.
Are your kids usually excited about going back to school after the holidays?
