Back-to-School: Goodbye summer, hello stress

Starting a new school year can lead to stress for the whole household. But if parents prepare the family for the stress of school, kids will have an easier time going into those first days.

To help get ready, Dr. James Bray, associate professor and psychologist in the department of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, gives some advice.

Parents often get stressed about sending children off to school. Between leaving your child all day with a classroom of new kids and getting used to a new morning routine, parents have a slew of new things to deal with.

“Talking with other parents might open the door to planning carpools, or give you someone you can call on for help when last minute schedule changes occur,” Bray said.

Bray also suggests spacing out school supply shopping to help with budgeting. Read more about creating a smooth transition into the new school year.

Get more helpful tips from Baylor experts

• Thinking about packing brown-bag lunches again? Check out our graphic about the “Golden Rule” for safely packing school lunches and how to ensure you’re packing a healthy lunch for kids.
• Consider using this time to make an appointment for a routine checkup.
• Summer bedtimes are often later than school bedtimes. If your kids have gotten into a routine that may be unhelpful during school, read some tips for getting quality sleep.

-By Andy Phifer