Back-to-school blues

Like the Sunday of summer, August hits and the inevitability of a few things starts to sink in:

• The weather will only get worse from here
• That vacation you took is not going to pay for itself
• Christmas is just around the corner

And for anyone with children, the most sobering realization may be:

• The first day of school is only weeks away

Whether you’re thinking about the effect on your finances or your family, it’s all enough to make most people feel a bit anxious this time of year.

Reasons for seasonal stress

If anxiety about this time of year is keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. There are several back-to-school stressors that affect parents and kids alike, such as:

• Changes to routines
• Getting up earlier in the morning
• The social pressures your children face at school
• Getting your kids to school on time
• Making lunches
• Homework (and being asked to help your kids with it)

Add to this list perhaps the biggest stress of all:

• Back-to-school shopping

The financial and social pressures of back to school

When it comes to back-to-school shopping, both the cost and inconvenience of multiple shopping trips and multiple stores can really weigh you down.

Shoes, clothing, school supplies, school fees, bus passes and backpacks. One way or another, most kids needs these items, and they’re going to cost money.

Either your children are young enough to not care about fashion, but they’re outgrowing their clothes faster than you can fold them. Or maybe your children have stopped growing, but they have an expensive—and unrealistic—desire to keep up with the latest trends.

You may worry about how well your kids get on socially with other kids at school, but you also know that birthday parties are expensive for your children to attend.

And there’s so much pride that comes with your child making a school sports team—but also a lot of angst wondering if the school will cover the team fees.

Don’t let money woes weigh you down

The transition back to school doesn’t need to be such a burden. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the financial pressures, maybe we can help.

Because whatever you can do to relieve some of the stress is going to help you and your family get through this hectic transition. Back to school can be a fun and exciting time for kids, and with the right mindset and a little planning, it can be fun (or at least tolerable) for parents, too.

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