This year I am trying a bunch of new things, and one project is guest bloggers! Once a month in 2023 we’re going to hear from a local mum just like us with some expertise in an area, maybe even a business, but not necessarily.
I’ve always been a champion of women in small business and I have written a few blogs about that here, here, and here, but this time, my guest bloggers will share a bit of their wisdom with us in their own words. I will be doing a handful of guest blogs for a couple of them too, but that’s not really the focus. I’m going to email you once a month, hopefully adding value to your inbox with their help (sign up below!). Because, sisterhood! And I’m super excited about this!
I thought I’d start this series in January myself (which is definitely not because I only had the idea recently and didn’t get anyone else organised in time lolol). Can you be your own guest blogger?! I think I can and you’ll see why… for those who don’t know, I was a teacher for 14 years, and a nanny in Perth, around Australia and internationally prior to that. I studied and worked in Washington state, USA, as well as England and France. I have a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and taught mainly pre-primary, but have experience in kindy through to year 6! My kids are now 9.5 and 12.5 years old *sob*.
With all that in mind, and lots of First Days of School under my belt, I thought I’d put on my teacher hat and give you:
Miss Cat’s Top 5 Back to School Tips!
(Before we begin, just one note: I do not want to be another voice telling you what to do or adding stress to your #mumlife. If you’re dreading reading these, then please scroll and look at the pretty pictures, then get on with your day with my blessing. This will not be on the exam.)
1. Do a drive by.
Even if your kiddos have been there plenty of times, even if they went last year, it’s never a bad idea to have a little visit.
Point out the classrooms they might be in (please don’t guarantee anything, because things change constantly!) and the play areas their age group uses.
Talk about the teachers they might have, if you know, or the friends that might be in their classes (again, avoid guaranteeing anything just to be safe!).
Chat about the things they like (whether it’s art or sport or storytime) and point out the art room, sports shed and library.
I even do these things with my 12yo and the classes he attends regularly, so there’s really no age limit on this, even if it feels a bit junior! If you can go for walk, even better.
Hear any worries and concerns without necessarily trying to “solve” those problems or dismiss the fears. Just getting them out can be enough.
2. Have a quiet lead up.
So much school stress, particularly for little ones, can be reduced by starting off on the best foot physically and emotionally.
For 3 days before school starts, try to have earlyish bedtimes, the best diet your kids will eat, with lots of water, and cup-filling activities (and no cup-emptying ones!).
Cup-filling activities are the things that your child enjoys, usually play-based and not too adult-lead. We’ve had a parenting education from Bluey recently, so think about games like that, or anything your kiddo enjoys. For my older kids this includes audiobook time, crafting, video gaming, walks and plays in nature.
Limit the things they don’t enjoy or add a bit of tension, which for my kids is large, extended family gatherings, spring cleaning at home, grumpy parents, too many demands and not enough free time.
(See more of this little Ray of Sunshine, his amazing backyard, and my baby sista-from-another-mister here)
3. Good food and treats always help.
Ask them what they’d like for breakfast and in their lunchbox for the first few days and roll with it as much as you can.
Bake a treat together if that’s your thing, or take them for a special back-to-school shop to choose a few things for their lunchbox.
Prioritise protein and vegies in lunchboxes, with carbs, fruit, and a treat. I can’t explain how much protein helps small brains. When I’ve been asked about food, and parent has made a few little changes, they’ve never not come back and been super surprised the difference more protein and less sugar makes. That doesn’t mean no sugar! But the difference in a homemade muffin and a freddo frog is dramatic. Of course if a freddo helps your little one feel good about the day, then go for it. First week special treat! But it’s never too early to help your kids make good food choices in their lunchbox, as much as you can.
Remember lunchboxes aren’t for learning to eat things either. It’s really important lunchboxes have things kids will eat in them, that aren’t stressful, so just get as much balance in there as you can, then pat yourself on the back and move on.
If you can, prioritise protein for breakfast. If your kids eat breakfast really early, they may need an on-the-way to school snack. I know this seems full on but some apple slices with nut butter, a boiled egg, or some carrot sticks and hummus at 8:30am can make all the difference to their day if they eat before 7:30am.
Top teacher tip: if your kids are struggling to be dropped off happily and you’ve done all the things to prep and calm them – try giving them a protein-rich 8:30am snack!
Need help? Check out Nutrition Australia Healthy Lunchbox for great ideas.
(Mr Almost-2, his eyelashes, and stunning apartment ready for you to drool over here)
4. Schedule free choice chill time.
Kids, like us, need rest and rejuvenation. These are two different things.
Rest is rest, physical and or mental rest. Rejuvenation refers to those cup-filling activities.
If you can wait on starting afterschool activities for week 1 that’d be ideal. There’s a reason a lot of programs don’t start until week 2. Being schlepped to lots of afterschool things after holding it together all day doesn’t work for some kids.
Schedule some free time for them to do whatever, and if that’s screen time then great. Screen time is not the devil! (Do we need a whole separate thing on screen time? Let me know.) Kids can lack choice at school so aim for their afternoons and weekends to have more free choice and plenty of play.
Remember, boredom is good! Boredom feeds creativity. Avoid those cup-emptying activities in week 1 when you can.
(I’m gonna level with you right here right now… I need *any* excuse for this elephant guy to make an appearance, so you’re welcome, he’s a cup-filler!)
5. Get in nature.
I know this is the one a lot of mums struggle with the most. We have so much pressure on us, who has time to spend hours playing at the beach, or going for a walk and play in local bushland?! But nature is good for everyone, promise.
Chat with a friend and organise a free nature play for the weekend before school, or first weekend of term to let the kids really release some energy and get all those feel-good sun rays, and grounding earth energy.
My hippy side is showing I know, but I’m not wrong about this one. I used to teach my pre-primary class outside all day. Yes, all day! We were blessed with a large covered area when it was hot or wet, and otherwise I used it to run activities under there, and let them play, play, play. The difference in them was astounding. Get them outside and let them play!
Top teacher tip: always add water if you can!
(Hugolicious making my splashy dreams come true here)
Phew, that was way longer than intended but hopefully helpful! Wishing you all the best with school, especially if it’s your little ones first time!
Look forward to capturing your family story soon xxx
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