How To Avoid Home School Meltdowns

You can do this!

So you now the kids are home for the rest of the school year and you have to teach them… You have to miraculously manage 3–4 hours of homework, meals, clean up, next day prep, bathtime and bedtime. It’s a lot! I’m a mother and I was a K-12 teacher (working 2 jobs) for years. I know some people are going to look at my list and think, this is common sense. But I’ve had to slip a few of these tips to the most organized, superstar parents over the years. We all need a little help to avoid a full family or partial after school meltdown. It’s the first couple of weeks back, the after school slump hasn’t started.

Home School Prep: For Harmonious School/Homework and Meal Time

SET THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS

Everything should have a home base. Establish designated spaces for:

1. Bookbags, play clothes, etc — it can be a storage bin or cubby for easy transitions.
2. Make a Homework Hub (a no phone zone), in a well-lit area and have room for supplies and snacks
3. A place for school/family calendars, notes, permission slips that need to be signed, try the fridge

FIND YOUR FAMILY’S RHYTHM AND CREATE A ROUTINE

You know your family. Some children need to eat before they do their school work, some need to change their clothes and take a shower before they can concentrate… Find out what every person needs to transition (starting with you), discuss and then create a routine that works for you and your crew (including pets, and guests), write it down and commit. Everyone needs to be on the same page and working together. Be patient, consistent and persistent (especially if this is something new). It will take a few weeks to get it together.

1. Create a pre and post-school routine for your children that includes transition time, food/snack prep, and homework
2. Make Check-Ins Your Best Friend: Implement an after school “Quick Clean Check” aka 10 Minute Tidy. Use this time to clean out lunch and school bags, and peruse the room for dirty clothes, containers, etc. or any other sneaky stinkies, so you can avoid playing what’s that smell a month from now)
3. When you’re checking homework or at dinner time have a Chatting Check-in to address time-sensitive issues, review next day activities and logistics plans, fill out forms, email teachers, etc.
4. Try to make dinner a group effort — even if they only set the table or make a salad. This should also be a no phone zone- you find out a lot from body language. If every night isn’t feasible, aim for at least 2 nights

BONUS PARENT POINTERS —

The More You Know — The less likely you’ll BLOW — + Surprises Sabotage Peace

1. Make sure you have the phone number, extensions and email addresses of all teachers, school administrators and support staff in your phone and on a paper list and register with your school communication program — like Schoolnet so YOU can have the most up to date information and check your child’s attendance, homework, grades, and test scores.
2. Attend school meetings and if your schedule doesn’t permit send a representative or, schedule a phone conference and explain why you’re absent and try to arrange another time to meet ALL of your child’s teachers
3. (When school resumes) You should plan to visit the school twice a semester and make sure your numbers and emergency contacts are current

Now that the kids are cool — what about you? This is especially true for single parents! We often sacrifice and push our needs to the side, but it’s not healthy or sustainable in the long run.

Get organized, and make a 90 day plan to bring or maintain balance and fun in YOUR life:

1. Practice Self Care: Poor nutrition, sleep, and dehydration can seriously impact your mental health remember to hydrate, eat well, exercise and get a good night’s sleep. You can’t pour from an empty cup…
2. Get your annual check-up, hearing test, dental cleaning, and eye exam.
3. Commit to Connect: If you’re married or cohabitate schedule monthly family game or fun nights and date nights; check in with family members and friends
4. If you’re single — it’s time to mingle and make connections and ease into a social life -Try Meetup — it’s free and you can find interest-based activities
5. Learn a new skill, hobby or finish a small goal or project
6. Volunteer at your local food pantry or shelter they often need help or join a board — it feels good to give back. Or join an online parent or support group, they often support a cause — you can help yourself while helping others.

I use WebMD and Sparkpeople for health and nutrition tips.

Good luck!

*This article was modified from an after school to home school tip sheet.

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