Overcome Back-to-School Challenges – with Resilience
The back-to-school season can be challenging, bringing new routines, schedules, and demands. For parents, it’s an opportunity to strengthen resilience, a key factor in supporting family well-being and preventing child maltreatment. By prioritizing self-care and focusing on making themselves “pono” (righteous or balanced), parents can better navigate this season’s demands. Here are some practical tips from the Hoʻoikaika Partnership Community Engagement Committee.
Embrace Community Resources
Back-to-school expenses add up quickly. Make the most of local give-away events for backpacks and school supplies to ease the financial burden and ensure your children have what they need. Utilize keiki clothing exchanges, back-to-school specials, and thrift stores like the Women Helping Women store and Revive Boutique for affordable options. Maximize your food dollars by using local food distribution services and planning your shopping list to manage your budget. Visit the library for back-to-school books to help children prepare for the new environment and for information on parenting and child development.
Foster Mental and Physical Well-Being
Learning and practicing breathing techniques with your children help everyone manage stress and stay calm. Spending time in nature for hiking, beach outings, or simply blowing bubbles in the park can boost mental health and provide quality family time while serving as natural breathing exercises. Reduce screen time by setting specific limits and placing affirmations around the house to remind everyone to stay strong and focused.
Build Support Networks
There’s no shame in asking for help. Reach out to family, friends, or caseworkers, especially during stressful periods. Consider participating in Family Hui Parent Cafes or joining the Maui Mamas Facebook group. These communities provide a space to vent, ask questions, and receive support from other parents. Playdates keep your children engaged and help you build relationships with other parents, so you all have somewhere to turn in times of need.
Prioritize Self-Care
Schedule time for yourself (and with your partner) just like any other appointment. Even a few minutes each day for activities like meditation, journaling, or simply taking deep breaths can help you re-center. Recognize when you need a break—take an “adult timeout” to step away, recharge and come back refreshed.
Organize and Plan Ahead
Avoid last-minute stress by starting school-related paperwork early and anticipating important dates and holidays. Establish a morning routine by preparing lunches and clothes the night before or get ready before your children to reduce the morning rush. Adjusting routines as children grow will help them learn these life skills.
By focusing on making yourself “pono,” you can navigate the back-to-school transition with greater resilience. Remember, it’s about being gentle with yourself, cultivating patience, and embracing the support and resources available to you. Stay strong, Maui parents—you’ve got this!
The Hoʻoikaika Partnership is a coalition of community organizations, individuals, county, and state agencies working together to prevent child abuse and neglect in Maui County.
Reprinted from Maui Family Magazine FALL ISSUE 2024, July 24, 2024