Back to School Guide

Halfway through the summer months means at least one thing: back to school season has begun. This can be exciting for parents and disappointing or exciting for kids, depending on their personality. However, the back to school season is definitely a time for renewal and new beginnings. Here is some advice and a few tips to help you have a successful and satisfying back to school season.

You might be surprised to find a lack of material or coupons in the Sunday papers for the back to school season. The reason for this is simple. The back to school season is almost as well-known among parents and families as is the holiday season in December. For this reason, the various big box stores that sell back to school supplies, clothes, and materials, don't need to pay for advertising and coupons in print; parents all over the country assume that there are back to school sales going on the second half of summer.

Back to school season can be an exciting time for many children. I remember I loved getting a fresh batch of school supplies, and, for several families like mine, back to school also meant new clothes. In many ways, going back to school was a fresh start. Especially for younger children, going back to school is the best way to reconnect with friends you've lost touch with over the vacation-filled summer months.

But going back to school isn't exciting for everyone. In fact, for many children, young and old, going "back" to school is a misnomer. Every fall, many children are attending a new school, whether through moving or through advancing a certain grade level. This can be frightening for many children, and anxiety-causing for almost all of them. The best thing to do is, obviously, surround them with comforts. Better still, might be to allow them an increase in autonomy and independence. Most children feel helpless and overwhelmed in a new school, demonstrating your faith in their ability to stand on their own can go a long way in this situation.

Back to school time is a great opportunity for a fresh start. In many ways, the first day of the school year is the start of a new year, not New Year's Day. This can be an exciting time for many students, and a scary time for others. It is important in this massive change for parents to be aware and involved with their children to make sure the back to school transition goes smoothly.