There is something a little bittersweet about the end of summer. The long, unhurried days, late evenings outside, spontaneous adventures and that wonderful feeling that tomorrow can wait are beginning to give way to backpacks, lunchboxes, earlier bedtimes and school bells. It can be hard to say goodbye to summer—but there is also something comforting about returning to a familiar rhythm.
Many kids—and parents—actually welcome the structure that comes with a new school year. After weeks of looser schedules and changing plans, there can be something reassuring about knowing what comes next. At the same time, transitions can bring big feelings. Some children may be excited to see friends and meet a new teacher, while others may feel nervous about being away from parents, making friends, navigating a new classroom, or simply adjusting to a different pace.
Whatever emotions the end of summer brings for your family, a little preparation can help make the transition feel more manageable and confident.
1. Let Sleep Drift Back Into Place
Summer bedtimes have a way of drifting later and later. If possible, start moving bedtime and wake-up times earlier a week or two before school begins. A gradual adjustment is often easier than trying to make a dramatic change the night before school starts. Good sleep helps kids feel better, regulate their emotions, and be ready to learn.
2. Give Little Things a Trial Run
For younger children especially, a little practice can go a long way. Let them try opening their lunchbox, zipping their backpack, putting on their jacket, or managing water bottles and other school supplies. These small skills can give kids a greater sense of independence and confidence when they walk into school.
3. Talk Through the Days Ahead
Talk together about what school mornings will look like: getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating breakfast, packing up and heading out the door. It can also help to talk through what happens after school. Knowing what to expect can make the transition feel less overwhelming.
4. Find a Home for the Backpacks
Choose one place at home for backpacks, lunchboxes, shoes and other school essentials. A consistent home for everything can make mornings calmer—and hopefully prevent the frantic 7:58 a.m. search for a missing shoe.
5. Make the New Feel Familiar
If your child has an opportunity to visit school before the first day, take advantage of it. Seeing the classroom, finding their cubby, and meeting their teacher can make a new environment feel familiar. It is also a great opportunity for parents to connect with the teacher and learn about communication and expectations for the year.
6. Leave Room for Big Feelings
Try not to assume that your child should feel excited—or that nervousness means something is wrong. They may feel excited, worried, sad about summer ending, or all of those things at once. Let them know that whatever they are feeling is OK. You can acknowledge the hard parts while also reminding them about the good things ahead: friends, favorite activities, new experiences and things they will learn.
7. Remember That School Is a Big Day
The first few weeks of school can be exhausting. Even children who seem happy and energetic may be using a tremendous amount of emotional, social and mental energy throughout the day. A snack, some quiet time, outdoor play or simply a little space to decompress can help. You don’t need to hear every detail about their day the minute they walk through the door.
A Note for the Grown-Ups
The transition back to school is a transition for you, too. There is something lovely about summer’s slower pace, and it is OK to feel a little wistful as it comes to an end. At the same time, there can be a real sense of relief in having a routine again—knowing when practices are, when homework happens, what time everyone needs to be up, and where everyone needs to be.
Give yourself and your kids some grace as everyone settles into the new rhythm. The first week—or even the first few weeks—may feel a little bumpy. That’s part of the transition.
So take one last swim, stay outside until the sun goes down, savor the last creemee, and enjoy these final lingering days of summer. Then, when the backpacks come out and the alarm clocks are set, remember that there is a little magic in this season, too: new beginnings, familiar routines, fresh possibilities, and another year of watching our kids grow.
Here’s to holding onto the magic of summer while welcoming whatever comes next.
-Monica Benjamin is a nurse practitioner at Porter Pediatrics in Middlebury.