Family Tides
For kids, the end of summer usually means the end of freedom. For parents, the back-to-school season brings a mix of emotions and challenges.
Families often face hurdles with new schedules and transportation. The transition can also bring stress or financial strain as everyone prepares for a new year.
This season, parents shared the challenges they face and how they’re navigating them.
Finding a rhythm again
The last few weeks in August often mean scrambling for childcare as camps close. Half-day starts can be especially difficult for working parents. Figuring out school pickups can be a challenge, too.
“Every year, this is the hardest time,” said Kerry Sullivan of Northfield, whose daughter is going into fifth grade. “All of it is not conducive to anyone who works a job, unless you’re a teacher. Other than that, I don’t know how people really do it without family.”
Sullivan said family support has helped, but she’s also leaned on fellow parents.
“I know not everyone is fortunate enough to have family help, but I’ve learned to ask other moms for help, even if it was uncomfortable at first — just being willing to trade off so nobody has the full burden all of the time,” she said.
Brian Bovio, whose eldest son is entering his senior year, spent some of the summer juggling college visits and staying on top of application deadlines, senior photos and school parking passes. Bovio and his wife, who live in Williamstown and own a home in Atlantic City, said they’re easing their youngest back into an earlier sleep routine.
“We’ve started the battle, for the last week or two, trying to get him used to going to bed a little bit earlier to get in the swing for school. I think that’s probably one of the tougher challenges.
The other stuff we can figure out, but that’s the one we get the most resistance on,” the father of two said.
For Jade Hutchison, Egg Harbor Township mother of three, the transition can be anxiety-inducing.
“Them being out of the house for eight hours every day — it’s a lot to put your trust in other adults that they’ll take care of your kids the same way you would and that their needs are being met all day long,” Hutchison said. “I think the transition to a school schedule is hard — getting up early, lunches being made in the morning, and getting the bus on time. The busing is always a struggle the first two weeks I feel like because they run so late. So, it’s a hard adjustment.”
Maintaining good sleep habits helps her family keep a routine.
“I’m really big on structured sleep, so even while we’re on vacation, I’m really strict with bedtime,” Hutchison said. “Sleep is so important, and I think it really does make a difference in those first weeks when you ease back into an earlier sleep schedule.”
Counting the costs
Back-to-school shopping can also be an expensive hurdle.
“It’s an unexpected expense, though it shouldn’t be. We all know it’s coming, but then you forget about it,” Bovio said. “We’re fortunate it’s not a big issue financially for us, but it is an unexpected expense where we have to cut some other things we were thinking about doing out of the picture.”
As children get older, back-to-school costs rise, especially as they prefer name-brand items. Hutchison said, for her, overhauling wardrobes for three kids is impractical.
“I like to buy the kids a new outfit for the first day. Last year, my daughter did not get new shoes. I just washed and shined the sneakers she has, and I also have had a lot of luck with thrifting — thrifting sneakers and other newer clothes — instead of buying an entire new wardrobe,” she said, noting she does get her kids a new set of pajamas for Pajama Day.
Classroom supplies can add up, too.
“I wish that schools took care of teachers better, so teachers didn’t have to rely on parents to be a proxy of Staples, bringing in all these random supplies of tissues and paper goods and dry-erase markers,” Bovio said. “In the 17 years I’ve been a parent, this list has just kept continuing to get larger and larger.”
With back-to-school costs adding up, parents shouldn’t feel pressured to replace everything — consignment and thrift stores can be a viable option.
“There’s nothing wrong with thrifting back-to-school sneakers and book bags,” Hutchison said.
Staying connected and involved
Kids also feel the pressure of new teachers, homework or friends.
Emotionally preparing them or finding out if they have a friend in their class can help, Hutchison noted.
She also cautions parents not to get too hung up on what they’ve heard about teachers.
“Everything always ends up being OK, whether the teacher is made of rainbows and butterflies or a little bit stricter. I feel like my kids have had a taste of both, and the years they’ve had a more strict teacher, the structure has been so great, and they’ve learned a lot,” Hutchison said. “Try not to worry about what you might hear other parents saying about a certain teacher. They might not have worked for that kid, but they might work great for your kid.”
Bovio, who served on the PTA for years, urged dads to get involved and parents to read school communications so they’re not caught unaware when they’re supposed to bring in certain items.
Missing a notice about special events can also leave kids feeling left out.
“Read what they send — I think that can be a frustration. They send so much stuff, and then you go, ‘They never told us about this,’ but it’s usually in there,” he said.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
