Back to School 2025

Back to School Safety and Success

Like it or not, school season is around the corner. Let’s set our children up for success by planning ahead. Here are some tips to prepare your household for the upcoming school year.

1. Structure the Day for Maximum Success

Children function best when their days are structured. Ask your child how much time they need in the morning to get ready. Allow for hygiene, breakfast, and last-minute tasks. If appropriate, schedule shower/bathroom times for each child to avoid morning arguments. Together, determine a consistent bedtime and wake time. Have nutritional breakfast options available and stock up on healthy after-school snacks

As part of the day’s structure, talk about screen time. Incorporate conversations about online safety and social media safety. Determine screen time limits and what time devices will be shut off at night.

2. Consider Extracurricular Activities

These pursuits teach children time management skills, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills. Their involvement in group activities and organizations leads to increased face-to-face interaction and reduced screen time.

3. Practice Refusal Skills

Because of their need to belong, children succumb to peer pressure because they want to fit in. Before the first day of school, ask your child how they will respond if someone asks them to vape, offers them alcohol, or attempts to show them something on their phone. (A good response to the phone scenario is asking their friend, “What are you about to show me?” This may keep them from seeing a pornographic image.) What will they say if they’re invited to a party with drinking or no adult supervision? Role play scenarios and practice their responses. This may sound elementary and your preteen or teen could roll their eyes, but simply having the conversation lets them know you understand what they face each day and you care about their well-being.

4. Be Available After School, Physically & Emotionally

This isn’t possible for all parents, but if you’re home, greet your child as they walk through the door. Discern your child’s temperament and ask open-ended questions. Listen. If needed, allow them to decompress and express their hurts and struggles without judgment. Be a safe space where they can share their enthusiasm as well as their doubts and fear

5. Look for Red Flags

The first several weeks of school can be stressful. That’s typical. But their stress level should normalize as they learn their new routine and connect with friends. Look for signals that something is amiss. Possible red flags include withdrawal, isolation, a change in appearance, more anxious or depressed, lack of motivation, asking not to go to school, irritability, and anger.

This list is not complete, nor are these signals indications something is definitely wrong. However, if any arise, investigate.

6. Celebrate

Ask your teen the high point of their day. Show enthusiasm and excitement for any achievement or “win,” great or small. Congratulate them when they try something new or step out of their comfort zone. Find something to applaud. Be their biggest cheerleader.

7. Pre-Plan a Family Activity

Before school begins, plan an activity or outing within the first month. A few examples include pizza and games, a sporting event, or a weekend away, something your children will look forward to. Ask everyone to contribute ideas and ensure each person has at least one part they’ll enjoy. They could select the destination, a new outfit, the place to eat, or games you’ll take.

Back to school can be a difficult transition. But it doesn’t have to be. Think ahead, plan, and be flexible. Let’s do our best to help our teens thrive and succeed!

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Help us make sure that our youth are properly equipped to make healthy choices NOW so that they can go on to lead happy, successful lives later. Let’s change the face of the community today!

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