So, how was the school year? Unique? Challenging? Perhaps about a hundred other adjectives depending on the day? 

But the end is in sight. And while the kids are probably extremely excited that the end is in view – do you know who else is excited? Parents!

Of course, while the final day of school is probably circled on your calendar, you still need to keep the kids (and yourself) motivated to get there. Here are some tips to help you survive the end of the school year.

• Keep Everyone On Schedule: It can be tempting to get a little lax with schedules and routines when the end is near but work to keep everyone on schedule. Keep bedtimes the same and make sure homework and reading times stay the same, too. Routines help keep everyone going – even when they don’t want to.
• Spend Some Time Outdoors: After a cold and snowy winter, the kids are probably ready to head outdoors – so make it happen. There’s nothing wrong with scheduling some time to hit the playground, ride bikes, play a game of tag, or even read a book outdoors. Fresh air is good for everyone!
• Watch for End-of-the-Year Communications: Yes, there will be a lot of communications coming home from school at the end of the year. Whether it be in backpacks or your email or via the United States Postal Service, watch for things that the school might be sending home. You don’t want to miss information about exams, returning library books, or registering for next year’s classes.
• Make Sure Homework is Getting Done: Your child has probably told you, “Yes, I finished all of my homework.” But it never hurts to check! Ask to see completed homework, or if your school has a parent portal that allows you to check your child’s grades – do it. Some teachers will allow for late assignments – and you don’t want your child to miss an opportunity to catch up on back work if they can.
• Encourage Study Time: If you have children that will need to take final exams, encourage them to start reviewing and studying now. You want to avoid cram sessions and reduce anxiety as exams approach. Preparation is key!
• Plans Healthy Meals and Snacks: Kids – especially teens – may start reaching for the junk food if they are feeling a little end-of-the-year pressure. Help them by planning healthy meals and snacks. Remind them that healthy foods help their brains!
• Allow for Some Grace: If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that everyone deserves a little grace – you and your children included. So, cut the kids some slack – and do the same for yourself. Not every day is going to be a good day – and sometimes you just have to start fresh the next day.
• Start a Countdown Calendar: If everyone in your family is excited about the end of school, then why not start a countdown calendar? You could do it with a paper calendar and “X” off the days or create a paper chain and detach a chain each day until there is none! This will help keep everyone’s “eyes on the prize.”
• Plan a Celebration: And when the last day of school arrives – have a celebration! Plan a special meal or a trip to the park or go grab an ice cream cone – and get ready to enjoy summer!

The end of the school year is coming, but you still need to keep everyone focused until it’s here! Keep these tips in mind – and everyone will be on task and ready to finish strong!