By: Ellie Roberts
It’s that time of year again, parents! It’s time for your kids to return to the classroom to learn a new routine, meet back up with friends, and connect with their new teachers. This can be such an exciting, albeit busy time of the year. Before your kiddos head back to school, it’s a good idea to take a moment between choosing first-day outfits and picking out new binders to have some important conversations with your child. With all the changes in routine happening, establishing a few key ideas could go a long way in the transition from summer to school, while also helping your child understand boundaries for themselves and others when returning to their classrooms.
Here are some conversations we recommended having with your child before they return to their school:
- Changes in Routine: Explain what the new schedule looks like, who gets them ready and picks them up. This can be different on the first day, but just make sure they understand what the normal routine will look like after. If they need to walk themselves to the bus, or are going to after school care, make sure they know the right bus number and stop! This can help your child know what to expect, and what is expected of them! It’s also good to make sure they know their basic information in case of an emergency.
- Have a conversation about healthy boundaries: At Prevent Child Abuse Utah, we believe that giving children the tools to stay safe is one of the most important things a parent can do. A key part of this is teaching your child to recognize their own personal boundaries with friends, teachers, and other adults.
A simple way to do this is with our “Listen To Your Uh-Oh Feeling, Say No, Go Tell” method. We teach children to listen to that inner voice, that “uh-oh feeling” that tells them something isn’t right. We encourage them to speak up and say “No” if a situation makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, and then to go tell a trusted adult what happened. This helps them
understand that their feelings are valid, and they can tell the people they trust about it to get help.
- As your child grows into a teenager, the conversations you have will start to change. You may want to start talking about new responsibilities and freedoms, like driving expectations, curfews, dating, and part-time jobs. Now is also a great time to discuss their future, whether it’s college, trade school, or another path.
With your teen’s life getting busier, it’s a good idea to establish a regular check-in with your child. This isn’t about control; it’s about creating a dedicated time to connect and communicate with them. As they begin to navigate these new and bigger paths, they will look to you for guidance and reassurance. Your teenager will need time to adjust to their new responsibilities. The best thing you can do is to be there for them. Allow them the space to make mistakes while still providing the support they need to learn and grow. By keeping both of your lines of communication open, you can help them feel secure and confident as they move toward their own independence.
You are your child’s biggest asset, and by making time for these conversations you are building a foundation of trust and open communication that will assist them in their school journey and possibly beyond that. We hope everyone has such a fantastic school year!
To get our Child Abuse Prevention or Bullying Prevention presentation in your childs classroom booked, please reach out to our Education Administrator Emily Sparks at
esparks@pcautah.org