5 Back To School Tips for Working Parents
It’s back to school time!
Kids and parents across the country are filled with mixed emotions about a new school year beginning. Working parents have a ton to juggle and it is especially challenging at the beginning of a new school year. So, this month on the blog, we’re sharing 5 tips and tricks for making back to school a breeze for the whole family.
1. Plan Ahead – I have 3 kids in 3 different schools that all have different schedules. Planning ahead is the only thing that has kept me sane. Some ideas to get you started: lay out clothes the night before, pre-pack lunches and backpacks, get everyone on an early bedtime routine, and put all of the school events in your calendar. After reviewing all of your obligations, make it clear to your manager and/or colleagues when you might need to be out.
2. Commit to One Thing, Not Everything – As working parents, the guilt we feel can often entice us to overcommit. Try not to be tempted to sign up for everything at the open house. Give your family time to get used to your new work and school schedules and then see if you can fit in commitments. Be strategic about which activities you have to do and which you want to do. Clearly, you have to meet with the teachers, but determine which volunteer activities you can engage in and which are less important. The reality is that you probably won’t be able to attend everything. Focus on the events and activities that are most important to your children. Once you feel you have a good balance, be sure to let your manager/colleagues know if you’re taking on a new commitment.
3. Schedule One-on-One with Kids – just as you and your boss or subordinates have 1-on-1 meetings weekly, you and each of your kids can do the same. Checking in on how they’re doing in a private conversation is so helpful, especially as your kids get older. Depending on your child’s age, scheduling special time can also help with the transition to being away from you for longer periods of time.
4. Be Prepared for the Unexpected – if you haven’t already, now is a great time to make a plan for backup care. Your kids will inevitably get sick, and you may also need before and after school care. Urbansitter.com and resources like it can be a great place to start looking for a backup caretaker. Family members, neighbors, and friends can all be great options as well, just be sure to have a formalized plan with them.
5. Delegate Where You Can – if you have a partner or older children, be sure to communicate all of the tasks that need to be done. Using a shared calendar and including special events, birthdays, and daily chores will help everyone in the household be more organized. This can also lessen the mental load of having to delegate daily tasks.
For more resources for back to school: 5 Back-to-School Tips for Working Parents (entrepreneur.com), Back To School? Tips For Working Parents (forbes.com)