5 Ways to Stay Sane During the Last Few Weeks of School
It’s unanimous that the struggle is real this time of year. For most of us, May and June are packed with social events, between graduation parties, end-of-year fundraisers, recitals, barbecues and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations. From a school perspective, there’s also standardized testing, finals and report cards to add to the stress. It’s a lot!
And if you’re feeling it, odds are your kids are too. The end of the school year can bring burnout for many children, as well as anxiety about the transition from school into summer camp, or from one grade level to the next.
So, what’s a parent to do when the summer is imminent but there’s still so much to get through first? Consider these tips on how to keep your kids regulated (and therefore yourself sane) during this super busy month or two:
Go back to basics. It’s tried and true because, well, it’s true! Make sure your child is getting enough sleep (here are the American Academy of Pediatric’s sleep recommendations by age), eating a nutritious diet and drinking enough water, especially as the weather improves. It’s also important to limit screen time and make sure your child is still completing their school work and keeping up with their reading.
Keep the routine consistent. Too much change at once can bring on stress and anxiety, so try to maintain the rest of your schedule. For my family, this means what will remain a constant are our 5:30 p.m. dinners (yes, I know it’s early) and our Friday night family movie night and special snack combo, which my son looks forward to all week.
Allow your child to recharge. If you suspect your kid may be burnt out—perhaps they’re complaining of headaches or stomachaches, extra tired, withdrawn or misbehaving—this could be their way of saying they need a break. Consider foregoing some pre-planned events or activities for more unstructured play, or take them on a one-on-one date to their favorite restaurant or playground for some extra R&R.
Make a big deal of milestones and achievements. Whether it’s Pre-K graduation or they’re off to prom, end-of-year milestones are a pretty big deal. You can gush over how proud you are of your child and/or shower them with gifts; showing your child you love them will keep them motivated and excited about the events that are yet to come.
Prepare for what comes next. You can ease some anxieties about your child’s next endeavor by knowing ahead of time what to expect. This could mean getting a tour of your kindergartener’s new school, finding out which dorm your freshman will live in, or finding out the roster for your kid’s bunk at camp. You got this!
How are you and your family surviving this busy time of year?
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