Keep Your Kids Motivated After the Back to School Excitement Ends

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There are a few special times throughout the year that my kids get excited. A few of those moments are their birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, and the first few days of school. I love that they are excited about school starting each year because it shows me that they actually have a love of learning but over the years I have noticed that after a few weeks of school the excitement begins to fizzle. Throughout the years I have come up with ways to keep your kids motivated after the back to school excitement ends.

With anything new, it’s normal for the excitement to eventually slowly fade. I completely understand when this happens in our household. School is tough and little minds can get exhausted, but it’s important to try and keep your kids motivated after the back to school excitement ends. Here are a few ideas that have worked for me:

1. Plug-In- Often times and understandably so, parents won’t allow their kids to play on electronics during the school week. Unfortunately, kids do not understand this, but often times it’s for the best. As a way to try and get my kids to stay motivated, I create a schedule for when they can plug in and for how long. Of course, every child is different, so plugging in during the school week may not always be an option. Doing this for my kids allows them to unplug from the ‘real world’ for a while and recharge.
2.  Routine- Get out of the routine. During the school year, families, for very good reason, fall into specific routines. Every now and then try and change things up. Instead of going home after you pick up your kids, go to the park or to a play area. This will help your child clear their mind and have fun after a long day of school so they can recharge for the next day.
3. Family Time- Incorporate more fun family time throughout the week. After dinner, have a family movie night or read a classic chapter book such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or anything by Beverly Cleary. Focus on laughter and creating positive moments as a family.
4. Reward to Motivate- I am not one to reward my girls for good grades but if I see that my girls have had a positive attitude, have been trying their hardest and continue to keep up with their chores at home, I will surprise them with a reward. One year I randomly surprised them with $20 each to show them how proud of them I was. Other times I have planned a special fun day and an overnight stay at a hotel.

As parents, it’s important for us to recognize when our kids are starting to lose the back to school excitement. We all want our kids to love school, so make sure that you recognize these signs and focus on remotivating your kids. Just like grown-ups, kids need a mental break also.