Returning to school after a month of being off-schedule can stir up many emotions and thoughts for students and parents alike. It’s a big adjustment to get back into routine just after summer and then the chagim. Figuring out the balance between homework schedules, extracurriculars, dinner time and more can be a huge transition.
Personally, once camp ended in August, even as I enjoyed time off with my family, I found myself counting down to the first day of school. Managing my own responsibilities while keeping my kids entertained and happy felt overwhelming at times.
For any parent feeling the same way, it’s reassuring to know that research supports the idea that children thrive in structured environments. Routine and consistency are beneficial for their development. But let’s be honest—helping with homework, balancing work and household responsibilities, ensuring they’re ready on time, and handling their mixed emotions is no easy task for us parents.
With patience, love and acceptance, though, the school year doesn’t have to be intimidating. The following tips can help you and your child navigate this time, while easing some of the frustrations that come with it. However, these tips do require time and effort, so it’s normal to feel some reluctance. You might wonder, “Why can’t my child figure this out themselves?” or think, “It’s another school year—why are we facing the same issues with homework?”
These are valid thoughts, but remember, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Building good habits takes time, practice and hard work. With consistency, your child will eventually adopt these skills just like they did with other milestones, such as learning to ride a bike. They needed training wheels and your support, but eventually, they were ready for you to let go.
Tips for a Successful School Year
- Establish a Routine Early On
Creating a consistent morning and evening routine that includes time for homework, activities and downtime helps kids and teens adjust to the demands of school. Structure provides predictability and reduces stress.
- Encourage Organizational Skills
At the school I work at during the day, we emphasize teaching and modeling good organizational habits. Using planners or digital calendars helps students and parents track assignments, projects and tests. Guide your child in setting priorities and managing time, and involve them in deciding what tasks should be completed first.
- Foster Independence
While it’s tempting to take charge, allowing your child to handle responsibilities like managing schoolwork or packing their lunch builds confidence and independence. Gradually shift decision-making to them, stepping in to support only when necessary.
- Allow Space for Handling Challenges
Resilience develops when children face and overcome challenges. Encourage your child to manage difficulties independently, but provide support and guidance as needed. Experiencing setbacks is crucial for their growth and helps build perseverance.
- Set Boundaries Around Technology and Social Media
Social media and technology are part of our daily lives and there isn’t any way around it. However, as parents, it is important to set clear boundaries around screen time, technology use and social media. It is crucial and imperative to emphasize the importance of balancing screen time with other activities, and especially important to be aware of, and reinforce online safety.
- Maintain Communication With Teachers
As parents, we are entrusting the schools with teachers who interact with our children for the majority of their day. It is important to maintain open communication with your child’s teachers, such as attending parent-teacher conferences and reaching out if you have any questions or concerns. Teachers want your child to succeed, and the more you can have open communication with them, the better chances at success your child will have.
- Set Goals for the Academic Year
Encourage your child to set specific goals for the year, such as improving in a subject, staying organized or making new friends. You can support your child by working with them to create an environment most conducive to helping them achieve their goals for this year. This could look like creating a quiet study space and helping them establish a homework routine that suits their learning style, getting them some supplies that will help them stay organized or strategizing with them on how to best go about their social life this year.
Final Thoughts
These tips may feel overwhelming, but hopefully, they can help you and your child succeed this school year and beyond. Developing these habits now will benefit them not only academically but also in their future careers.
Ahuvah Fried is a therapist at Collaborative Minds Psychotherapy as well as the middle school social worker at Yeshivat Noam. Ahuvah specializes in the treatment of teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, social skills deficits, ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, family conflicts, life transitions and general stress. To schedule an appointment, email [email protected] or visit
www.collaborativeminds.net.
