Since September is back-to-school season, we reached out to Vicki Broadbent, mother of three, award-winning TV broadcaster, and the woman behind the popular family lifestyle blog Honest Mum, to learn more about this period.
"The transition from summer to the new school year is usually a shock for all of the family," she told Bored Panda. "We've gone from a more relaxed routine during summer, often with more time with our children to greater structure ... , [with] earlier bedtimes and often moody children who struggle initially to adapt to change (we as parents are likely to be moody too)."
Of course, everyone's different, but Broadbent said, "It usually takes four weeks or so to form new habits, so before you know it, you and your children will be thriving again by the time the next school holiday arrives and the cycle begins again, albeit less dramatically!"
According to a survey from this summer, moms and dads are increasingly worried about many aspects of the back-to-school season—from ensuring that school requirements are met, affecting 49% of parents, to safety and security concerns for 46% of parents.
However, the number one cause of back-to-school stress for 51% of parents is the cost of everything their kids need.
Vicki Broadbent, author of Mumboss (UK) and The Working Mom (US and Canada), shared her insights on setting the whole family up for success at this time of year.
"I think easing into a routine gradually towards the end of the summer helps my kids not feel so surprised, so bedtimes return to usual more easily as they start going to bed earlier two weeks before," she explained.
"If they are starting a new school, we also test the school run, so the walk or drive to school, to assess traffic and timings so we're not rushing in a blind panic on day one," Broadbent added.
"The same goes for assessing the school buses and becoming au fait with the breakfast and after-school clubs. Preparation is key!"
The mom said she balances school routines by using a shared online diary with her husband and her own mom, who helps them with childcare when it comes to their toddler.
Coordinating everything takes effort, but it can go a long way. "Knowing which clubs the children have and when helps us all to become organized and share the physical and mental load."
"We 'job share' so to speak, so I will usually drop the kids off at school in the morning, and my husband will collect them in the early evening if they don't catch the school bus," Broadbent said.
