It’s finally back to school time – and while it can be a stressful time for the whole family, there are plenty of ways to make it so much easier, and put in some foundations that will make 2026 a stellar year for your family…
It’s finally here. Parents, we’ve made it – the long summer school holidays are over.
Your little ones have likely already headed back to the classroom – or are preparing to go back this week. But while there may be lots of chatter about stationery lists and uniforms, we know there’s a lot more to it – and for some kids, a lot more they’re worrying about!
There might be a change in school that’s bound to cause some nervousness, or fears about who their teacher/s might be, what class they’ll be in, who will be in their class, whether they’ll be with friends, if that kid who was mean to them last year will still be up to the same tricks this year… It’s a lot to process!
If you’ve got kids going back to school at the moment, here are some ways to make the transition a lot easier…
It All Starts With Sleep
A lot of kids have understandably got quite out of whack with their sleep routines over the holidays, sleeping in later, and/or going to bed later. These light summer evenings often mean we’re out trying to make the most of them, which can push bedtime out, or some kids are just struggling to sleep while the sun is still up.
But now, the school bell is ringing when they’ve normally fast asleep – which can leave kids feeling groggy and tired.
Louise Tanguay, founder and owner of The Sleep Store and mum of four says that the beginning of the school year is a great time to put in new routines, particularly around sleep, that’ll help your kids to put their best foot forward in 2026.
If you’ve got a few days before your kids start back, now is the time to get them slowly adjusting to an earlier wake time if they’ve been sleeping in.
“Gradually bringing their bedtime earlier over several days will go more smoothly than panicking the night before their first day back,” she says.
Creating an environment that’s conducive to good sleep is essential, she says. “Make sure the room is cool by bedtime, so you might need a fan or close the curtains to stop bright sunlight during the day. If the room is still too light for settling down, you can look at a stick-on blackout blind or even just peg up something like a dark sheet. If their bedtime is still a bit noisy outside, a good white noise machine is also a great idea.”
Having a good routine to wind down in the evening will also do wonders. As will having a solid morning routine.
“For the mornings, preparation is key,” says Louise. “Have as much as you can organised the night before, including all the little things like shoes and socks, laptop charged and drink bottle filled. I find having some especially yummy breakfast food for the first few days back can help get my kids up, such as homemade bacon and egg muffins or their favourite protein yoghurt, berries and cereal. Also give their mood and body clock a boost by having breakfast out in the sun.
“If you’ve got older kids, remind your kids of the relaxing benefits of some colouring, music or reading before bed, especially if they are a bit anxious about getting back to school. Phones out in the kitchen is helpful if they are not turning off at a sensible time.”
And, let’s not forget ourselves in the process, says Louise. The adjustment to back to school can be stressful for everyone in the family, so she strongly recommends focusing on your own routines too.
“I think there is huge benefit on first focusing on your own habits and routines,” she says. “It’s an ideal time to reset things to ensure the return to school is as stress free for you as possible, as well as showing our children healthy, useful habits. This can mean getting your own clothes ready the night before, going to bed a bit earlier and reading rather than scrolling. You might want to prep a good breakfast to take with you to work if the mornings are doing to be a rush. I find having something like overnight oats, berries, chia and yoghurt ready to go is perfect, then taking a quiet moment for breakfast and coffee when I get to work.”
Giving Them the Right Fuel
While we’re feeling a mix of emotion about the kids heading back to school (there’s the waves of nostalgia, watching how quickly they’re growing up – plus, the relief that now we don’t have to work out what the heck to do with them every single day for the entire stretch of the holidays!), but one thing that has been a joy to not have to think about while they’ve been off school, is the school lunchbox.
For many parents they can be a stress point – there’s the time they take to make (when you’re normally already in a rush!), working out what they’ll actually eat (especially if you have picky eaters) and the cost! It can feel like a lot of pressure too, making sure you’re setting your kid up for the day with what they need nutritionally to really get through the day.
“Yes, lunchboxes have have certainly caused their share of frustration over the years!” says Louise. “I think bento boxes are a real game changer, as it gives more flexibility and works even with fussy eaters. Our famous Nestling Stainless Steel lunchboxes are a great option, are leakproof and often just need a quick wipe after school. The food stays fresh too, so often uneaten things can go again the next day.”
Louise says one thing that’s really helped her over the years is not getting too hung up on the idea of what a traditional lunchbox should look like.
“I try to think less about what is traditional kids ‘lunch’ food, and just what food my children like and will fuel them for play and thinking,” she says. “For example, last year my boys loved having bacon and egg breakfast bagels or muffins and taking the exact same thing wrapped in tinfoil for lunch or you can make things for dinner that can double for lunch if you cook a bit extra.
“I often get a range of bits and pieces from the Bulk Bins at the Supermarket so I can mix it up before my kids got bored and they like to choose when we are shopping too. I invite them to help with the groceries and get a say in what we get for lunches too, that made a big difference as they got older.”
Talk to the Teachers
Louise says the start of the new school year is also a really vital time to check in with your child’s teacher to get ahead of any challenges you’re aware of.
“Take the time to help your child’s teacher(s) understand your child before the term gets underway, especially if there are any challenges like Dyslexia or ADHD,” she says. “Don’t wait for rushed parent interviews or the inevitable call from school for some drama that many of us know well, but send a short email with their strengths and challenges spelled out clearly. I have often been surprised how little information was passed on from year to year, especially once you’re past primary school. It can feel like you are starting from scratch every year despite everything that has gone before. This made a world of difference for my children and I as they got older.”
