As the back-to-school season approaches, it’s not just your child who needs preparation – it’s you too. The start of a new school year brings a whirlwind of responsibilities for parents. Let’s ensure you know how to take care of yourself, while also taking care of your child.

 

 

The back-to-school conversations typically focus on backpacks and pencils, so to speak. How many binders to buy and do they need a new pair of shoes? The back-to-school checklists can be long. And finding the right items — time consuming. But this isn’t all that gets us overwhelmed with school-related matters.

 

Want to know the real sneaky ways in which we get overwhelmed?

Surprisingly, they have more to do with people than things. 

 

Here is what I mean.

The beginning of the new school year is a magnet for overcommitting and peer pressure. As you meet new people, join events and form relationships, you may find yourself struggling to manage people and their expectations of what you should do as a parent of a student.

 

It may feel like it isn’t just your child’s life that suddenly became all about school, but yours too. 

 

When we talk about back-to-school preparations, the focus is usually on getting our kids ready and adjusting to new routines. However, what often gets overlooked is the importance of parents being well-balanced during this transition. Instead of just concentrating on our children’s readiness for the new school year, let’s shift the conversation to what parents need to prepare themselves for the upcoming school year.

 

Some parents thrive in school-related roles and eagerly await for the new school year in order to chaperon, volunteer as the classroom parent, host events, etc. But if that is not you, how can you make sure to protect yourself from that pressure?  

That’s what we talk about in this episode of The Parenting Presence. Have a listen as I walk you through five pieces of unconventional back-to-school advice in these areas: 

 

• Energy & Capacity
• Parent Guilt
• Boundaries & Values
• Group Pressure
• Family & Relationships

 

When you attend to these, it will keep you balanced throughout the school year, not only at the beginning. Tune into today’s episode of The Parenting Presence to hear more.

 

Let me know if you have questions. You can reach out here, or send me a direct message (DM) on Twitter and Instagram.

“Don’t Blame The Brain” is the book I am referring to and it is a must read if you truly want to feel in control of your emotional life. It is now available on Amazon in three formats: hardcover, paperback, and ebook. Get your copy! 

 

 

Additional episodes relevant to this topic:

• Meeting the Child’s Needs vs. Bending to Their Wishes (TPP 030)
• Parenting Guilt or Parenting Regrets? Why You Need to Know the Difference (TPP 021)
• The One Need That Matters Most in Childhood (TPP 029)
• When You Cannot Meet Your Child’s Needs, Things to Keep in Mind (TPP 041)
• One Must-Read Book On Emotional Regulation You Cannot Miss (TPP 066)

 

If you enjoyed this conversation, it would mean the world to me if you’d  leave a rating and review on iTunes. That’s the best way to support this podcast and help other parents find it too.