It’s that time of year again — the pools are still warm, the alarm clocks are a little rusty, but somehow school starts next week. (Anyone else miss school starting the week after Labor Day like when we were kids, or is it just me?) If you’re feeling a little unprepared, I’m sure you’re in good company. Luckily, my outside-of-FresYes-9-5 is leading a non-profit that is focused entirely on parental support through the K-12 school years, and I have some tried-and-true tips to help you, your family (and your sanity) as you ease into a new school year.
Hold Off on the Big School Supply Haul
I know the back-to-school aisles are calling your name, and if you’re a type-a or anxious planner type parent, you’re really being tempted to run out and get things now, but resist the urge to fully stock up before you’ve got the actual list from your child’s teacher. Teachers are often specific about what they want: loose leaf binder paper vs. spiral notebooks vs. composition books, pencils only vs. pens allowed. Buy the guessed-wrong version and you’ll end up with a drawer of orphaned supplies and a lighter wallet. Wait for the list, then shop. Trust.
Start Shifting the Sleep Schedule Now
Summer’s long daylight hours have a way of pushing bedtimes later and later, and trying to reverse that all at once on day one is rough. A kid running on fumes is not a kid ready to handle new teachers, new rooms, and new faces. If you haven’t already, start nudging bedtime and wake-up time earlier this week so the transition feels more like a gentle slope instead of a sudden cliff.
Do a Practice Run
The day before school starts, run the whole routine: get up at the real time, get dressed, pack the backpacks, drive to school, find the classroom, find the line-up spot. If time and finances allow, treat yourselves to donuts or bagels afterward to celebrate. It turns “the unknown” into “oh, we’ve done this before,” which does wonders for first-day nerves.
Talk Through Worries (and Excitement) the Night Before
Ask your kids if anything about the next day feels worrying, and help them make a simple plan for it. Then balance the conversation by also talking about everything there is to look forward to. Discussing both goes a long way toward a calmer morning and first day.
Let Them Decompress Before the Twenty Questions
When the pickup line ends and they’re back in the car, resist peppering them with “How was your day?! What did you learn?! Who’d you sit with?!” Give them room to decompress first. A relaxed, low-key activity after school works far better than an interrogation if you’re hoping for all the first day tea. A simple “was your day okay?” plus “I’d love to hear about it whenever you feel like sharing” usually does more than a full debrief demand. Be cool, parents. Be cool. It’s hard, (I know firsthand) but it’s worth it.
Expect Some Big Feelings and Excess Energy
Sitting still, staying quiet, and controlling their bodies for hours is genuinely hard for kids, especially the younger ones. It’s not really how childhood is built to work, but it’s also not really optional during the school day. Given this, don’t be surprised by extra crankiness, tiredness, or wild energy after school. It can take a good two weeks to settle into a new school year groove (remember it will get better), so try not to take the grumpiness personally. A walk, a swim, or a rowdy game of Twister after dinner can help burn off the pent-up energy in a healthy way.
Show Up to Back to School Night (But Don’t Linger)
Go, meet the teacher, introduce yourself, let them know you’re a team and excited for the year ahead, and then let the next family have their turn to meet and greet. Back to school night is not the moment to corner the teacher to dive into your child’s specific needs, however. Show you really are on the same team as the teacher, working for the good of your child by also respecting their time. If you need a longer one-on-one chat, ask the best way to follow up (email, Class Dojo, Teams) to schedule one so you can talk when the teacher can actually focus fully on your and your child’s needs.
And Please, Slow Down at Drop-Off
Fresno’s school zone speed limits have dropped from 25 to 20 mph, and Fresno was the first city in California to make the change, with hundreds of new signs installed citywide. Give yourself extra time in the first few days as everyone relearns the drop-off dance, and expect traffic officers out enforcing the new limit.
Here’s to a smooth start, a little grace for the bumpy moments, and a school year full of good days ahead.
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