Preparing for back-to-school

CEBU, Philippines - "Time flies, especially when you're having fun." This cliché applies aptly with students enjoying the summer break. There may still be approximately a month to go before it’s back-to-school season again, but the continuing summer frolics may make one lose track of time.

This early, thus, parents and school kids already need to start their preparations. School supplies, uniforms, and school bags are major items. But there are a lot more things that have to be ready before the classes begin.

With First-Timers

Practice the kids. With little kids just entering school for the first time, practicing them on the routine of the school days will help assuage their fear or tame their over-excitement about school. It will also minimize the chaotic mornings once the classes start. It is also good to enroll the first-timer kids in a summer class to prepare them for the regular school ahead. The experience will give them an advance taste of the school days when they have to be on their own, without mom or dad around.

Work the paperwork. For first-time enrollees, certain documents are required - birth certificate, medical certificate etc. With returning students, report cards, certificate of good behavior from former teachers, medical records etc. are also required. It is advisable to check with the school way before about the documents required so that these can be prepared beforehand.

Think of transportation and travel time. Figure out - or try beforehand - the way to and from school. How much time does it take to get the children to or from school? Consider a most practical mode of transportation - and the traffic situation too.  Perhaps carpooling is the way to go, or commuting, or using the family car.  It's a decision that can be made ahead, to avoid stress during the first days of school.

With Older Kids

Most of the time, what applies to school first-timers also applies to older kids returning to school. But there are certain things that especially apply with older kids. For example, entering high school is quite a different experience from elementary school. And so there are other considerations to make.

Involve the kids in choosing a school. Older kids may have already developed close relationships with former classmates or may want a completely different experience with a new circle of friends. They shall, therefore, be made to participate in the process of choosing a school.

Encourage a sense of independence. Older kids shall begin to be self-reliant. If they're old enough, they should be able to go to or come home from school on their own. The older they are, kids shall be able to take care of their school assignments without mom and dad checking on them all the time.

Hear out the kids' concerns. Teenagers often feel awkward about their new roles - they're no longer children but not yet adults, either. Parents should be supportive. Again, the kids have to be involved in any decision that concerns them. And parents should provide reassurance on matters that the kids are quite unsure or insecure about.

For College Students

What applies for older kids mostly applies with college students too - after all, they are partly kids still. But college students shall be made to assume higher self-responsibility.

Set a daily budget. A realistic amount of daily allowance must be agreed between the parents and the students. It's a collaborative process - considering the actual needs and the resources available. But of course, tuition fees are a completely separate matter.

Keep a little distance. For college students to develop their sense of independence, parents will have to distance themselves a bit. While these fully grown students are eternal kids in their parents' eyes, they should be allowed privacy. Parents only need to make themselves available to give support when their college kids come to them in the face of problems.

Overall, school kids of all ages need to get themselves ready for coming back to school. And they have to get the necessary things ready, too. And it does not take the school kids only. Their parents are very much part of the preparations.

Aside from taking care of the financial requirement, parents should also be ready mentally and emotionally, in order to be able to embrace the change of routine in the family's life. Proper preparation is an antidote to possible frustrations. (FREEMAN)