It's that time again! Say goodbye to the lazy days of summer and hello to the school day routines of bus rides, backpacks and hitting the books.
Here are some tips to help your and your children adjust to the transition. School days can be particularly chaotic when there are mutliples in the family, so I've compiled some strategies for saving money, time and sanity too. Here's to a successful school year!
Make it Meaningful
Heading back to school is an exciting, important time. It's a big milestone to pass into the next grade level, and it should be commemorated. Consider adopting some special family rituals or traditions to mark the occasion for your multiples.
Use the preparatory period before school starts as an opportunity o spend some one-on-one time with each of your multiples. If at all possible, arrange individual shopping expeditions for each child; enlist the help of a spouse, relative or friend if you're short on time. In our family, I take each of my twin daughters on a separate shopping trip that includes purchasing school supplies as well as a special outfit for the first day of school. We make a trip to the hairdresser, and conclude by eating lunch in the restaurant of her choice.
The one-on-one time is a wonderful chance to share thoughts about the year ahead and to work through any fears or concerns. Make it a tradition that you and your children will look forward to each year.
Other fun traditions give the new school year a fun and meaningful start. Take a picture before the kids leave for school; do it in the same place every year for an instant timeline of their growth. Prepare a special breakfast, or, if time is tight in the morning, celebrate with a special dinner the night before. Read a favorite book together (a favorite for young children is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn).
Before school starts, arrange to speak to your childrens' teacher or teachers. It's important that they know that your child is a multiple and that they understand and respect the multiple bond.
If your multiples are in the same class: Give the teacher ample support in telling them apart even if they look nothing alike. If necessary, give them nametags to wear for the first few days. Discourage dressing alike; it makes it easier to distinguish them. When my identical daughters were in the same preschool class, I made it a point to speak to the teacher briefly as I dropped them off and indicate who was wearing what that day.
For older children, remind the teacher that your multiples will sometimes react to each other as siblings. Remind your multiples that they should leave their disputes at home; they can be disruptive to the rest of the class.
If your multiples are in separate classes: Make sure teachers are aware that their students have a twin or triplet in another class. Explain the relationship between the children, whether they are anxious about being apart, sometimes competitive, shy without their twin, or protective of each other. Any of these dynamics could potentially have an impact on a child's learning experience, and teachers should be aware and respectful of them.
Finally, be sure that your multiples know their phone number, and what to do in an emergency. Arrange for them to meet each other for the trip home. Make sure they know where to go if no one is there to meet them or if they need assistance.
How do you celebrate the return to school? Post in our forum.
