LOTS of children return to school this week after a huge seven-week break.
And although it was a difficult time for countryreturning to the classroom can be difficult for both young people and their mothers and country.
Whether your little one is starting primary for the first time, moving up a year or transitioning to higher education school, mother hacking expert Casey Major-Bunce, 33, has the best tips for going through this.
The mother-of-four who shares her parenting advice with her more than 650,000 social media followers – said: “Back to school It’s fast approaching and it’s great to be prepared to return to the classroom.
“My top tips can save parents and children of added stress during this transitional period, with, hopefully, some added fun as well.”
Here are your top five tricks including a genius timer tip.
Create a routine
ENSURING every morning is the same can help children get back into the swing of school.
Casey said: “Establish a morning and evening routine and try to stick to it.
“This really helps my kids adjust to the school schedule after break.
“Try to wake them up at the same time every day and combine activities. as reading or packing your bags the night before to make mornings go more smoothly and reduce stress for you and your family.
“You could create a checklist that includes all the tasks that need to be done before leaving for school – like getting dressed, brushing your teeth teethand eating breakfast. This promotes independence and helps children stay organized, helping them not to forget anything.”
Last minute shopping
IF you still need to learn something for the new term, make sure you get the kids involved.
The expert said: “Allow them to choose a backpack, notebooks and stationery that reflect their personality or, if last year’s backpack is still in action, help them update it by adding iron-on patches or badges. Or ask them to help clean their bag so it’s tidy for the start of the semester.
“This will get them excited about school while also teaching them responsibility.
“An additional tip would be to prepare a box with extra supplies like pencils, pens, erasers, and sharpeners so they can easily restock their pencil cases if needed.”
Make breakfast easier
EVERYONE knows that mornings can be a nightmare for busy people families – so prepare as much as you can.
There’s even a tasty way to make breakfast quickly.
Casey said, “Consider making pancake muffins. Use regular pancake mix, pour into muffin tins and top with kids’ favorites from chocolate chips to berries. Bake normally – the muffins don’t crumble and last up to five days in the fridge.”
In the meantime, she recommends using a timer for every morning task — from getting dressed to brushing your teeth — to keep everyone on schedule.
The mum added: “This adds a fun challenge and motivates children to complete their tasks quickly, making the morning less chaotic.”
Set goals
LOOKING to the future can help ease a child’s worries and stress about the year ahead – and prepare them for the challenges of primary or secondary life.
They may want to join a certain club, make more friends or achieve set grades in certain subjects, depending on the stage of school they are about to enter.
Casey said, “Encourage your child to define goals for the school year, whether academic, socialor extracurricular.
“Talk to them about what they want to achieve and be positive when they share this with you. This interaction will help motivate them and give them a sense of direction as they approach the new school year.”
Face the fears
BEING open about concerns a child may have is key to a smooth transition, whether they are starting school or moving on to high school.
Your child may not have said anything, but they can often be frightened by the prospect of big changes – like moving from nursery to primary or starting to attend their nationals or higher.
The expert said, “You should ask your children if there’s anything they’re particularly worried about going back to school.
“This will give you the chance to work through any fears they have and reassure them that it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Open conversations can help them feel more confident and ready for the new term.”
– Follow Casey Major-Bunce aka The queen from Hacks @MajorMumHacks.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story