Around this time of year, we often start checking out mentally and projecting ourselves onto the beaches and braais in the not-so-distant future. The trouble is, there is still this final stretch of school to get through, and we all need to button down and finish what we started strong. So, what can parents do to help their kids navigate these last important weeks of the school year? Here are some useful tips and strategies.
Spruce up your supplies
After a hard year of working, stationary is usually low and a little dishevelled. Pencils have lost their erasers, glue sticks are dry and pens are all but chewed. If it’s financially viable, buy next year’s school supplies early and gift your child with a few shiny new pieces and a sweet note encouraging them to enjoy this final stretch. Not only will they feel considered but you’ll be surprised how far a freshly sharpened pencil and a full set of crayons can go. Best of all they won’t get used much and you can still save them at year-end for next year’s stash.
Watch your words
Kids are like little sponges. If they hear the adults around them complaining about this being “such a long year” that negativity can sink in quickly. Children naturally scan the adults around them to get a temperature on how safe their environment is. If they think you are tired of this year and are checking out, they may unconsciously hear that is a threat to their well-being and in turn may wish for the year to be over too… but so that mom and dad can spring back to their old selves. If you as the parent can muster up some enthusiasm for the last stretch, your kids will likely feel relief and join you for the challenge.
Stick to routine
We are all tired of the same routine month in and month out and may secretly long for something more relaxing. This is usually when family routines slip up, screen time goes haywire, and bedtimes creep into no-man’s land. But it is essential not to slip out of these important family routines. Predictable routines like bedtime, bathtime and structured screen times are essential. They act like a silent glue holding little minds in place. Routines communicate safety, and security despite whatever everyone is feeling. So do your best to avoid slipping into bad habits that can do more harm than good.
Create a reasonable short-term goal
Think together about one or two reasonable goals that can be achieved before the end of the school year. This may be something simple like finishing your homework within the first hour of coming home, or reading 3 pages of your book each day. This will give your child something fun to focus on and may give them a little boost to work towards the end of the school year.
The bottom line
Endings – including school endings- are always a time that will be filled with feelings. Rather than pushing past them or dropping into exhaustion oblivion, these are some simple ways to build robustness, promote wellness at home and enjoy those final weeks before the last bell rings.