How to Tackle Back-to-School Like a Boss in Huntsville, Alabama

By: Animal House Photography

Back to school is already on its way but it doesn't have to be a stress-filled race.

Set yourself up for success this year and use this list to prepare for school to start.

We all know how easy it is to lose ourselves in the business of back to school. You have lists of supplies to purchase, summer reading to finish, and fall activities to sign up for.

In the midst of all that, your kids are feeling everything that comes along with this time of year: anxiety and excitement, sorrow at the end of the summer, and their own stress about new and more difficult learning.

So as you head into this year, here are some ways to keep your peace and enjoy your kids in the middle of the chaos.

Black and white portrait of a young child sitting and looking at the camera
Black and white portrait of a young child looking at the camera, wearing a sweater.
Black and white portrait of a young child looking directly at the camera.

Tips for Parents During Back to School

1. Protect your peace. You can't enjoy this season if you feel like you're drowning.

If this means you do the supplies shopping alone or one kid at a time, do it.

If there need to be fewer activities in the fall so your family can enjoy one another, talk it through with your kids.

A peaceful home starts with us as parents; margin in our lives sets us up for success.

2. Say "yes" as much as possible to your kids.

This one seems like it contradicts the previous, but its a little different. 

You aren't saying yes to everything. You're saying yes to the high-value things that will make an impact and to the small easy things that won't take much effort.

If you have big kids, this might be a "yes" to going shopping for new clothes or spending a weekend with a friend.

With younger kids, this can be as simple as saying "yes" to reading an extra story or playing catch in the backyard.

These are the moments our kids will remember, the ones that will build them up in preparation for the school year.

Three children hugging and kissing a younger child in black and white photo

And if you need an idea for savoring sweetness, personality portraits are a great way to commemorate these days! My personality portrait sessions are happening in just a few weeks, and they are quicker, easier, and more affordable than ever. 

If you're looking for quality photos on your schedule, check out my personality portrait page for more information.

3. Notice the small things - and give yourself grace.

You can't possibly enjoy every moment, as much as everyone likes to tell us to. Trying to enjoy hard or sad moments adds to our frustration and feelings of failure.

Instead of trying to savor every moment or make the most of "only 18 summers," notice the small things you're really enjoying. The kids' joy in going swimming or their delight in a new game they made up.

Savor the sweetness and give yourself a break when things are hard. 

Black-and-white photo of a smiling child pulled cheeks out to make a silly face
Smiling toddler in a patterned shirt, leaning forward and laughing in black and white.
Child covering face with both hands in a black-and-white photo

Tips for Supporting Kids

1. Call out their strengths.

For better or for worse, our kids thrive on our approval. Even if they can't admit it, our opinion is foundational to their view of themselves.

So tell them about their strengths when you see them. Brag about them to your spouse, your friends, and your extended family. 

Obviously this requires sincerity since kids have a famously good BS detector, but saying it out loud when you see it goes a long way.

Again, this is another way personality portraits can make a difference. Noticing all the beautiful and unique things about your kids during their session and then hanging those photos on your wall shows your kiddos just how amazing you think they are.

Read more about personality portraits here.

Black-and-white photo of three young children posing together and smiling at the camera.

2. Give them extra grace.

They're stressed too. Change is hard for everyone, especially for kids still learning how to manage their feelings. 

So give them some extra space to take a breath, to try again, and to make a better choice. Remember your own experience of childhood, the powerlessness and frustration and anticipation that are so overwhelming. 

Everyone needs a little extra understanding during high-stress moments. We should give it to ourselves AND our kids.

3. Let them be a part of decisions.

This doesn't mean you have to bring them along to every errand or let them make every choice. 

Instead, give them choices where you can: picking a backpack, choosing new shoes, deciding on a lunchbox, etc. 

These decisions seem small to us but go a long way for our kids. Younger children will feel excited and grown up, while older kids will feel their growing independence and freedom to express themselves.

Practical Tips to Keep Parents Sane

1. Compile a master list of your kids' supplies with categories and quantities. 

An example might be:

10 pack of markers (2)

Wide ruled composition notebooks (6)

And so on, including clothing and accessories. This will help your shopping trips feel less frantic and easier to tackle.

Smiling young boy in a striped shirt against a plain background
Black-and-white portrait of a smiling young boy in a striped shirt.
Black and white photo of a child in a striped shirt holding a mouthpiece with arms raised

2. Set up your calendar for the year.

Whether you use an electronic family calendar, a paper one, or a whiteboard, set up your system ahead of time and have a family meeting to explain it.

If your kids are old enough, show them how they can engage with the calendar to communicate their plans, due dates, and other needs.

3. Plan a family meeting or two.

Sit down together and look over:

- your calendar

- their summer assignments

- supply lists

- schedules

...and whatever else you can think of. Set goals as a family and talk about the year to come. Getting everyone on the same page can make a HUGE difference when the schoolyear starts.

And one more plug for personality portraits. Recording your kids' growth over the years is so worth it, and hanging their pictures on the wall is shown to increase their confidence. As a mama who hangs my kids pictures up, I promise you won't regret it.

Follow this link to find out more about my easy breezy personality portraits.

Smiling woman in a white dress standing by a wall, with text about a author and teacher.

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