It’s that time again.
Anyone with school-aged kids knows this period can be a jolt from the quieter rhythms of site summer to the madness of homework, sports practice, and all the accoutrement of school life (reusable water bottles, overstuffed backpacks…) We’ve pulled together some ideas to help ease the transition, with guidance for study sanity, managing technology, easy weekday meals, back-to-school fashion/accessories for all ages, and more. And rest assured – there will be no pop quiz.
Managing the Homefront
Before even cracking a book, it helps to get some fundamentals in place to ease the transition into a new school year. Jessica Lambert, a local executive functioning coach with experience as a middle school learning specialist, elementary school teacher, and mother of two, shares her advice on getting the whole family set up for success.
Lambert’s three top tips for a solid school start apply to the whole family. “Necessary for some, good for all” is one of her favorite quotes, which she applies to these strategies.
Calendar
“I’m talking about a shared paper calendar that represents the big-ticket events and items for the entire family, not a digital calendar on your phone or computer and not the kid’s planner,” said Lambert. “It has to be somewhere visible where everyone can see it.” Lambert keeps hers on the refrigerator and includes events like practices, lessons, tutoring, parent travels, parents’ night, tournaments, out-of-town visitors, etc. “It’s there in the kitchen because that’s where we are all the time. It can be a conversation starter – over breakfast, you can say, ‘Hey, look at today, here’s what we’ve got going on.’ It’s a way to help kids form good habits like keeping a calendar, thinking ahead, and managing their time. It’s also a way for a family to stay organized with their obligations.” Lambert keeps a digital calendar as well, but this family calendar is the main hub. “Kids need modeling. They need visuals. I don’t encourage a lot of digital calendars for that reason. It can be a printout – doesn’t have to be fancy. Mine is handwritten, and there are so many erasures and scratch outs, but it’s there.”
Routine
In Lambert’s experience, solid bedtime and morning routines are key. In the evening, she recommends having kids lay out clothes for the following day, especially students who choose what they wear to school. “Doing that in the morning just causes unneeded stress and anxiety,” said Lambert. She advises having two outfit options: Plan A and Plan B. Packing backpacks the night before is also a good habit. “I know some of the older kids can’t put everything away because they’re working late or they’re charging devices. But packing that backpack, filling the water bottle, gathering things like PE clothes, football cleats – all the things that take up way too much time in the morning when kids should really be getting 15 more minutes of sleep if they can. That makes the checklist for the morning a bit smaller if all you have to do is get up, brush your teeth, wash your face, eat your breakfast, get dressed, and put the last handful of things into your bag.” Streamlining the morning rush isn’t just helpful for kids – it reduces the stress on parents as well. “Nobody wants to be yelling at their kid at 7:59 because they’re already late for school. It’s going to happen a couple of times a year, but if you stick to the routine and the workspace and the calendar, you just feel so much more put together and confident that you did everything you could to make your day go smoothly… You don’t want to cause animosity or anger in the household when it’s not necessary.”
Workspace
Kids should have a dedicated workspace with basic supplies for completing assignments: pencils, pens, erasers, stapler, tape, scissors, highlighter, notecards, looseleaf. “That doesn’t mean kids are going to work there 100 percent of the time,” said Lambert. “It just means that they know where to find the supplies if they need them. If they need to work in a different location in the house that evening, they know where to find the stuff.” She advises parents and kids (particularly older kids) to decide on this arrangement together: “Before the homework starts, before the tests and quizzes start, decide what are three places in this house you can work? Those are your three options on any given night, depending on your homework load or study load. It might be at the kitchen table, but sometimes that’s too loud or busy. Maybe you want to move to the dining room or in your room with the door open (and you’re sitting at a desk or a hard surface, not on the bed).”
Tackling Technology
Another tricky area to navigate is technology, especially with older students who have their own smartphones, laptops, or tablets. As Lambert points out, many schools require kids to use technology for their homework, and students often use tech for school-related collaboration, which makes it harder to monitor in the evenings: “I want to tell kids, ‘Don’t have your phone by you when you’re doing homework.’ But that’s also impossible because we now have the phone-a-friend approach – when you don’t know what page or what the teacher said, the easiest thing to do is text a friend.”
Different students have different needs, of course. “If a student is trustworthy or their attention span is long or their motivation to get their work done is high, I think you can only regulate that so much,” said Lambert. She recommends having kids work in a room with the door open or a common space where parents can keep an eye on what they’re doing. For a child who tends to be easily distracted by the screen, she would create a technology or digital contract. The contract spells out rules agreed upon by child and parent about the hours during which the student can use certain technology or devices and complete homework – and a time at which that tech needs to be turned in for the night. Lambert notes that parents need to be prepared to check in periodically to make sure the student is making progress.
Technology should also be removed from kids’ rooms overnight to avoid sleep-disrupting temptations. That means not allowing children to use their phone as an alarm clock – even if parents do. “I do,” said Lambert. “I’m an adult, though. And I cannot pick up my phone at 2 a.m. when I get a text from a friend.” For kids, she recommends sticking with a traditional alarm clock, or using the alarm function on Google Home or Alexa. School laptops or other devices that need overnight charging should be kept in the kitchen or parent’s bedroom (or another ‘away’ space). “It’s just not a healthy habit,” said Lambert. “Adolescents don’t have the self-awareness to say ‘no’ to those things because they feel so good – they offer an immediate reward. If it’s in the room with them while they’re sleeping, they’re going to attend to it.”
Bedtimes also evolve as children age, with adolescents often staying up later than their parents. “Our brains turn off way earlier than theirs,” said Lambert. “We’re ready to fall asleep and it’s like, ‘Wait, I forgot to take the phone.’” She counsels families to agree on a time that works for everyone for kids to turn in the phone, which might be at the parent’s bedtime. “When you’re dealing with tech, it’s almost like you’re taking candy away from a toddler,” said Lambert. “You have to meet them in the middle and agree on these rules and parameters with the kid… It has to be a team approach.”
Space, Supplies, and Stuff
As anyone who works from home can attest, it helps families to have a dedicated spot for homework. Felicia Schimpf, owner of NEAT Method New Orleans and mother of three young children, shares her favorite ways to create an area conducive to homework or school-related tasks, even when space is at a premium.
Schimpf designates a homework space, complete with a chair and clear surface that’s comfortable for working. If it’s a desk, drawer organizers keep supplies in check. For a table or countertop, acrylic canisters or perforated baskets hold supplies, books, devices, etc.
One of Schimpf’s favorite approaches is the craft cart – a mobile station that can be wheeled out when it’s time to access school supplies. It can be stashed in a closet or corner so that supplies don’t take over shared spaces (like the kitchen table). Within the craft cart, supplies can be organized in acrylic caddies or bins so they’re visible and neat.
Schimpf is no stranger to the challenge of managing the stacks of papers and artwork that accompany younger students home on a regular basis. She chooses what to keep or toss, noting that “anything with a hand or footprint I can’t part with.” Her storage solution is to create a memory box for each child to keep the most valuable treasures from every school year. Schimpf uses a plastic tote that’s big enough to hold hanging files, one for each grade – from preschool all the way through high school. Crafty personalized versions can be found on Etsy (and further inspiration on Pinterest), and parents can make a sheet for every year with a school picture, teacher’s name, etc. From week to week, Schimpf stashes papers in an acrylic paper sorter, one for each child, until she has time to file the ‘keepers’ in the memory box.
Finding Outside Support
How does a parent know when it’s time to get outside help? “When there is a lot of stress and anxiety in the house that revolves around one kid,” said Lambert. “If their schoolwork, the way they conduct themselves during the day, is bringing so much stress upon the entire family or one parent who sort of is their manager, it’s time. If that kid is saying, ‘I’m not good at this. I’ll never be good at school’ or being down on themselves or self-deprecating, that’s another sign.” She acknowledges that adults juggling work and other obligations should tend to their own needs as well. As Lambert tells parents, “It’s okay to have your kids get some help to meet their full potential.”
That help could be in the form of an executive function coach or a subject specific tutor or more general homework tutor. As a starting point, Lambert is a proponent of having a student work with an older student for help. “I really love when I’m working with a kid, and a few doors down I see a high school student working with a sixth grader or a college student who comes onto campus after school a couple of times a week to work with an eleventh grader… The age is close enough to be relevant but far enough to be helpful and guide the younger student in what they need to be doing.” To find college or high school students willing to help, Lambert recommends asking friends and family for recommendations or reaching out to a local college to ask if they have an area on campus where they offer tutoring for younger kids. “You have to do a little homework. Email everyone you know. But ultimately there are kids out there that want to earn that extra money.”
Get the Best Rest
It’s almost impossible to overstate the importance of a good night’s sleep. That’s especially true for children, who use sleeping hours to restore, recharge – and grow! But while every child needs plenty of sleep, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to getting those Z’s. According to local pediatric sleep consultant Kristin Giefer, “It is important to remember that every child’s sleep needs are unique. Some may require more rest, while others can thrive with slightly less. As parents, observe your child’s behavior and mood to gauge if they are getting enough rest.”
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the National Sleep Foundation offer the following sleep guidelines for school-aged children, which evolve over time as kids grow.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): 10-13 hours
School-age children (6-12 years): 9-12 hours
Teenagers (13-18 years): 8-10 hours
As many parents can attest, school, screens, and stress can make it hard to log those hours. Giefer offers the following advice:
Set a consistent sleep schedule: Align your child’s sleep patterns with the natural rhythms of day and night by establishing a consistent bedtime and wake-up time.
Implement a consistent bedtime routine: craft a calming bedtime routine with activities like reading a bedtime story, taking a warm bath, or practicing deep breathing exercises.
Dreamy sleep environment: Create a sleep-friendly realm in the bedroom – one that’s comfortable, quiet, and dimly lit.
Exercise and adventure: Encourage physical activity and outdoor adventures to help your child expend energy during the day, leading to better sleep at night.
Limiting caffeine: Minimize or eliminate caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening.
Confronting fears and anxieties: Foster an open and supportive environment where your child can discuss their worries and fears (and lessen their emotional impact at bedtime).
Additionally, Giefer recommends avoiding stimulating activities close to bedtime and dimming the lights in the evening to stimulate sleep-inducing melatonin production.
For kids who struggle with mornings:
- Use a gradual wake-up alarm clock that simulates a sunrise, gently coaxing your child awake in harmony with nature’s rhythms.
- Create a morning routine that your child looks forward to, with a favorite breakfast or an exciting activity to awaken their spirits.
- Shower your child with praise and rewards for waking up on time and starting the day positively. Positive reinforcement works wonders!
Fashion Forward
Whether your kid is picking their own clothes or you’re choosing for them, it can be a process to keep them in style (and within budget). Even if your school uniform is… a uniform, there are plenty of ways for kids to express themselves in the new school year.
Shane Guidry, the owner of Pippen Lane on Magazine Street, weighs in on what’s hot for back to school this year. “Back to school is always such a tricky time for fashion because our heads are thinking pumpkin spice latte, but the temperatures certainly are not. Our vendors have gratefully adapted over the years and now offer a greater array of seasonal transition looks,” said Guidry.
Pippen Lane is carrying plenty of emerald green and all shades of purple for girls, and the fondness for ruffle skirts/skorts and dresses and high-waisted bottoms and smocked style bodices continues. As for footwear? “Embellished sneakers are the shoe of choice for sure,” said Guidry. On school supplies, kids are snapping up 80s-inspired items (think Lisa Frank), especially the littlest students, with “the smiley, groovy, 70s vibe” not far behind.
For older kids, the Y2K era (late 90s/early 2000s) is still serving up fashion inspiration in the form of wide-legged jeans, blazers, baggy pants, crop tops, and slip dresses. For the feet, bright sneakers, tall boots, and combat boots all make the grade. According to the fashionistas at Seventeen, athleisure (think chic track pants) and preppy looks (like polo style shirts or dresses and sweaters over the shoulders) are on trend this fall, as is a touch of punk (plaid miniskirts, chain accessories).
Where to shop? In addition to the mall, vintage and thrift stores never go out of style for fashion-savvy teens. Other faves include high-fashion, lower-cost options like Zara, H&M, and UAL.
Building Independence
For Lambert, the goal is modeling how to set good habits that children can practice independently in the future. Making that transition to independence can be a bumpy road for kids and parents alike. “Parents want to let go. They don’t want to be parent and tutor, accountability partner, homework helper…That’s not what we’re equipped to do as parents,” said Lambert, who typically steps in to help kids who are struggling with accountability, getting things accomplished, managing their time, and being able to think ahead. “Middle and upper schoolers don’t want you in their business. They love you, but they want you to be their parent, not nagging them. Their brains are telling them that’s not how it’s supposed to work… it’s too much policing on the parents’ part, and the kids feel it too.”
Lambert often gives parents an analogy she often heard from former colleagues: “In lower school, you’re the child’s manager. You manage everything – their schedules, their homework, their routine. But once they get to middle and high school, you turn into their consultant. You want to take a step back to see if your kid can do that independently. If you start going back and forth between the consultant and manager roles, that’s okay, that’s going to happen. You need to sort of reel it in sometimes and then let it go. But if you are at the end of eighth or ninth grade still being your child’s manager, that’s where I would say someone needed to get some support from outside… Families I work with who have adolescents, they were the managers, and they were exhausted. The kids were not happy, and relationships were turning sour, and that’s where I kind of step in.”
Easy Eats
In many households, weekday meals can be stressful, between mad-dash mornings and post-work/school dinners that need to happen FAST. We asked local chef and mom Dee Lavigne, owner of Deelightful Roux School of Cooking, for her recommendations on manageable meals for busy days, picky palates, and teens with big (and budget-busting) appetites.
On-the-go or make-ahead breakfast
“You can never go wrong with parfaits,” said Lavigne. “You can make them with a variety of ingredients, you can make a lot of them at one time, and they are cost effective.” Look for lower sugar yogurts and mix-ins to keep them on the healthy side. Customize with your child’s favorite fruits, granolas, nuts, etc.
Dinners that work after work (and the after-school marathon)
For Lavigne’s family, “A salad bar goes a long way!” Lavigne prepares salad lettuce for the week and separates it into bags (“Yes, you can also buy them,” she noted). Add a quick protein, like grilled chicken, shrimp, or sauteed fish, and be creative with toppings and dressings. “You can have dinner ready in less than 15-20 minutes.”
For hungry teens with endless appetites
According to Lavigne, “When dealing with ‘Big Hunger,’ protein is key. Being a mom of a 6’ 3”, 200+lb teenager, I completely understand. I serve him normal portion sized meals but add a protein shake or powder to a drink to help fuel him and keep him feeling full. The premade drinks are low in calories and packed with protein.”
Healthy-ish snacks kids will actually eat
Lavigne’s kids love to make their own oat bars. “The recipe is very simple, and it’s easy to make unlimited varieties. This is a way to get them to eat a healthier snack, make it themselves, and be as creative as they want to be, so it never gets old,” said Lavigne.
Chef Dee Lavigne’s 3-Ingredient Chewy No-Bake Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
1/2 cup of your favorite natural nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew)
4 tablespoons of sweetener (Any syrup type will do, e.g., honey, cane syrup, agave syrup.)
1 1/4 cup quick oats
Directions
- Line the bottom of a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Stir with a spatula until the ingredients are evenly mixed and the mixture becomes a thick dough. If your dough doesn’t seem thick enough (thick enough to form and cut into bars), add more oats, 1 tbsp at a time, mixing in between. Taste dough and if you feel it is not sweet enough, add one more tbsp of honey.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Apply light pressure with the spatula across the surface to help compact the bars and smooth the surface. While the dough can be enjoyed right away, if you want to cut them into bars, refrigerate them for 30-60 minutes to help them firm up. You can also refrigerate overnight or until ready to serve. Once they are firm, slice into bars with a sharp knife. Store uneaten bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- These bars are chewy and lightly sweetened. For more sweetness, you can add mix-ins like dried fruit or chocolate chips.
- If adding mix-ins, add them after you have mixed together the dough (but before you add any additional oats if you need to thicken bars further).
- Bars will keep for a few days in the fridge and longer in the freezer.
- Make sure to use natural almond or peanut butter (with no added oils in the ingredient list). Regular peanut butter or almond butter with added oils will not allow dough to thicken properly.
- You can easily double this recipe to make more bars.
