1. Plan your next vacation (yes, already!)

There’s nothing like thinking about the next vacation to cheer you up at the start of the school year. If they seem far away, having a little weekend or even just a family outing on the horizon can do wonders for morale. It’s a bit like having a chocolate bar hidden away for those days when you’re feeling really tired: it helps you hang in there! So get out your diary, block off a few dates and dream of your next destination.

2. Sharing the mental load: a family affair

The start of the new school year is also the ideal time to review the division of tasks at home, especially after the vacations when habits are turned upside down. Mental workload isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a reality for many parents. What if, this year, we tried to share it better? Discuss as a family (yes, even with the youngest!) who can do what. Children can be given responsibility, even for small tasks, and this helps them to grow up while taking some of the burden off your shoulders. Morning and evening routines can also be reviewed and rehearsed, to help children become increasingly independent.

3. Simplify your life with a visual schedule

To avoid running out of time and forgetting Timéo’s snack or Léa’s dance class, a visual schedule can be an invaluable ally. Use a large, colorful board or calendar where every member of the family can see what’s ahead. It’s simple, fun and helps everyone get organized. Another tip: download a family organization app like My FamilyWall or MyFamiliz. Convenient to use with your co-parent.

4. Let go… and feel less guilty

The start of the new school year can sometimes be a little like New Year’s resolutions. Give yourself a break and review your ambitions. There’s no need to sign up for 10,000 activities, plan a post-holiday diet or potty-train 1.5-year-old Junior between baby swimming lessons. As you can see, “qui va piano, va sano” (who goes slowly, goes healthily). At the same time, we’re taking the opportunity to get rid of that nasty friend, guilt. You’re not Shiva, and so much the better.

5. Anticipate to better manage the unexpected

In an already hectic day-to-day life, one of your best allies is anticipation. Here are a few tips: prepare your clothes the day before, define the week’s menu, start batch cooking, stock your freezer with ready-made meals, have several baby-sitter contacts in your address book, make friends with the parents at the crèche, find that new medical center that handles everyday emergencies… These well-oiled little gears can help you deal with the unexpected in an (almost) Zen-like way.

6. Decompression rituals: a breath of fresh air

Back-to-school is often synonymous with busy days, so it’s essential to find time to breathe. Why not set up a decompression ritual at the end of the day? Whether it’s going for a walk with the family after dinner, practicing a few simple yoga positions, learning to breathe for greater calm with cardiac coherence, coloring, doing a puzzle… These little moments help to release the pressure and refocus on the present.

7. Take time for yourself

We all know that parents tend to forget themselves in the whirlwind of back-to-school. But to survive this period, it’s essential to take time for yourself, without feeling guilty about it. Whether it’s an evening with friends, a relaxing bath or a moment’s reading, these little personal pleasures will help you recharge your batteries. After all, a happy parent is a zen parent, and that’s something the whole family can feel!

Back-to-school can be a stressful time, but with a little preparation and a few well-thought-out tips, you can get through this period with serenity. Remember: planning, sharing and taking time for yourself are the keys to staying on course. And above all, remember that the busy days will pass, and that the small victories of everyday life are worth celebrating. Happy back-to-school!

The Charlie Crane team

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