Five Tips for a Better School Year

The summer break has vanished in what can only be described as a jiffy. You say exaggeration much? Try being a parent with a full time job whose second job at home involves getting an unruly kid ready for school every day while trying to make it in time for the morning meetings at work. A few weeks into the new school year and you’re worried it’s going to be as stressful as the last year. It doesn’t have to be that way! With a few small changes in your approach you can help your kid (and ultimately yourself) have a better school year.

1. Cover the basics aka back to school shopping.
Before we get to the nitty gritty, let’s cover the most rudimentary items you need to help your kid with the new school and that involves shopping for school supplies, uniform/new clothes, new backpack, etc. To make this step simpler, check out urSTORE’s back-to-school shopping guide here.

2. Plan everything way in advance.
Whether it’s the back-to-school shopping or deciding who will pick up the kid at the end of the school day, you and your partner should plan everything way in advance to avoid eleventh hour mishaps. Each weekend, make a grocery list to help you make and pack lunch for your kid. Planning for meals in advance ensures that you’re not scrambling last minute and allows you to choose healthier food alternatives. Use a digital calendar that you can share with your wife (and your kid) to stay abreast of the weekly goings-on.

3. Organize your morning routine.
A lot of parents find themselves stressed out in the morning as they get themselves and their kids ready. This type of frequent anxiety can deteriorate your health so it’s of utmost important to do everything you can do keep stress at bay. Bring order to your morning routine by organizing it based on priority and don’t forget to leave some extra time for the unforeseen.

4. Prepare nutritious meals.
Nothing beats fatigue like the right kind of food so make sure you serve lots of green vegetables so you and your kid receive a healthy and balanced diet. The amount of calories matters but what matters even more is that you eat fresh vegetables and fruits along with lean meat and avoid processed foods as much as possible.

5. Include some sort of meditation in your daily routine.
Whether it’s a prayer of gratitude before the start of a meal or five minutes of meditation before bedtime, try to incorporate the practice of mindfulness in your kid’s life. There is a ton of research that point to health benefits of meditation so the earlier you get your kid to start this habit, the better.