This Post: How to Help Your Teen Transition from Summer to Back To School (Minus the Grumpiness)
Written By: Amannda Maphies
Ahh, summer… for our kids, it’s a time of freedom, a more relaxed schedule, staying up late, sleeping in (of course!), family vacations, and carefree time with friends.
As much as our kids would love for the easy breezy days of summer to last forever, they’re over before we know it and it’s time to gear up for another school year. (Ugh!)
Chances are every parent of teens knows that getting their kids up at the crack of dawn after sleeping in ’til noon (or later) all summer long is worse than moving the Rock of Gibraltar… nearly impossible without a whole lot of moaning, complaining, and repeatedly hitting the snooze button on their alarm.
But, there is a way to make the transition (at least somewhat) easier.
Here are a few tips to make the transition from summer to back to school easier on your teen AND you.
How to Help Your Teen Transition from Summer to Back To School (Minus the Grumpiness)
1. Ease Them into the “School Mindset” Now
Most teens would rather talk about virtually anything else than school starting back up. (They like to stay in denial as long as possible!) Of course, don’t pound the idea into their head that soon enough they’ll be back into the grind of getting up early, homework, and after-school schedules, but it does help to drop subtleties to get them thinking about school.
“Hey, are you excited about football season starting again?” Or, “School is starting in a few weeks, what kind of shape is your backpack in… is it time to buy a new one?”
Heads Up: It’s also a good time to make sure your child has completed any summer reading that’s required of them!
2. Put a Positive Spin On It
More than likely your teen will feel there is nothing you can do or say to put a positive spin on school starting. (Although I DO know some kids who actually like school!) But if you know what motivates them, it might be easier than you think.
Does your daughter love shopping? Ask her if she’d like to shop for a few new back-to-school clothes. Is your son techy? Ask him if he’d like to check out a new cool calculator, iPad, or even a new laptop.
If you can get them even a little psyched about school, it can soften the blow of school starting big time.
3. Gear Up By Encouraging Them to Go to Bed Earlier
While my two sons, (11 and 14) have had the luxury of staying up late and sleeping in late all summer, there is absolutely no way that summer schedule will transfer to the school year. Rather than have them grumpy as all get out those first few weeks of school and even grumpier when they arrive home, I’ll be doing my best to shift their nighttime schedules and collecting cellphones at an earlier hour so they get the rest they need.
We can’t force our kids to fall asleep at a decent hour. But we can initiate earlier bedtimes a couple of weeks before school starts (this might be trickier with older teens) and remove obstacles that prevent them from resting and eventually falling asleep… their phones and other tech devices.
4. Get a Jump on Needed School Supplies
It’s a lot easier to look for school supplies at Target, Walmart, the Dollar Store, or anywhere else, when you’re not competing with a crowd of kids and parents all shopping at the same time.
While you might want to wait on certain items to see exactly what supplies each teacher requires, it’s a great idea to get the basics out of the way, including pens, pencils, a pencil case, backpack, paper, notebooks, organizers, etc.
5. Get a Handle Physicals, Vaccines and Forms
If your teen participates in sports, scouts, or anything active inside or outside of school, it’s a good idea to call their pediatrician, or family doctor, to schedule their physical before school starts.
It’s also wise to ask about their medical history and what shots, vaccines, and medications need to be updated for them to comply with their school system. Also, it might be a good time to schedule an eye exam if your teen wears glasses or contact lenses.
Trust me, playing detective on all of these loose ends is much easier to do during the laid-back freedom of summer than after school starts when sports, clubs, events, and activities are moving into high gear!
6. Have Conversations with Pre-Teens & Teens Facing a New Phase of School
If you have a seasoned high schooler who knows what to expect in the coming year, then a conversation may not be necessary, but if you have a son or daughter entering middle school or high school, it helps to chat a bit so they know what to expect.
Case in point, my youngest son is entering the 6th grade jumping feet first into the monumental life of a middle schooler. He’ll have to navigate changing classes, a new locker, the introduction of study hall, more teachers in which to communicate homework, questions, and expectations, and no recess. This can be a BIG change for an 11–12-year-old kid. Having conversations at home about these changes, before being thrust into the lion’s den, can certainly be helpful.
7. Set Expectations Early
Are there a few rules you want to put in place to make the transition into the school year easier? Perhaps you want your son or daughter to know that all homework needs to be completed after they get home from school (after a snack, of course, but before they start gaming or scrolling). Or, maybe you want to chat about your teen’s sports and/or extracurriculars schedule to ensure they don’t overextend themselves and bite off more than they can chew.
Setting those rules, guidelines, and expectations before school starts can prevent a lot of anguish on your part and frustration on your teen’s part. And, it’s better to have these conversations in the summer before the stress and hype of the school year begins.
8. Get Organized Now
It’s going to be a lot easier for your teen to find their favorite comfy hoodie or jeans if they know where they are. And, it’s going to be easier for them to get their head into homework if they have a “study zone” in the house – whether it’s an organized desk area in their bedroom or a separate designated area somewhere else in the house.
Now is a great time to get your teen’s bedroom tidied up and organized, get rid of clutter (an uncluttered space equates to an uncluttered mind), and set up a cool study/desk area with everything they need to do homework minus distractions.
Desk Image Compliments of DIY Furniture Maven
August is literally two weeks away…
The transition from summer to back to school doesn’t have to be grueling. Rather than stressing out over the busyness of another school year, take some time to gently ease your teen into the new school year by getting them excited, getting them organized, and setting expectations so there aren’t any surprises. They may still dread the start of school, but at least the stress of being ill-prepared won’t be a factor.
About Amannda Maphies:
Amannda works at the UMKC School of Pharmacy, is a boy mom to Liam (13) and Waylan (11), and enjoys freelance writing based on her travels, life adventures, and pretty much anything that stands out as ‘story-worthy’. Manndi contributes to several online and written publications varying in content from single motherhood, raising teens, biblical perspectives, and inspirational/overcoming stories based on her unique life journey. She also enjoys a slice of journalism, writing for two local publications: Ozarks Farm and Neighbor and Connections Magazine. Manndi is proud to be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul Believing in Angels (January 2022), and her first book was published in September 2022, Tales From My Mummy. Her writing is lovingly filled with inspiration, encouragement, and always a touch of humor. “Live a life worthy of writing about,” is her life motto, which she strives to emulate daily.
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