Prepare for back to school (for parents with young children)
Going back to school can be exciting – and potentially daunting for you and your children. Follow these helpful tips to ensure you’re prepared for the school year ahead.
- Start to adjust your schedules a few weeks prior to the start of school. Make sure your child(ren) are getting enough sleep at night to ensure they can focus during the school day. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that children under the age of 13 need 10-12 hours of sleep per night and for children 13-18 years, they should get 8-10 hours per night.
- Visit the pediatrician to make sure your child is up-to-date with all recommended vaccines and exams. Preventive care is covered at no cost to you if you’re enrolled in an AXA XL medical plan.
- Prepare nutritious lunches for your kid(s) to take to school. Let them be involved in packing their lunch. For ideas on how to pack a healthy lunchbox, review this Harvard School of Public Health article.
- Plan for after-school child care. Use your Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to save money on eligible child care services, including babysitters, after-school centers, and day care centers by paying with pre-tax dollars. Not enrolled for 2022? Consider contributing to it during the 2023 Annual Benefits Enrollment to be held this fall.
- Check in with your child(ren). New schools, teachers, and subjects can be a lot for anyone, especially children. The Cigna Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help you and anyone living in your home navigate emotional and mental health challenges with up to five free counseling sessions.
Learn more back to school tips at healthychildren.org.
Support your child(ren)’s college success
Help your high school student(s) apply for college
You can find financial resource support, evaluate colleges and universities, build your child’s application, and more with MyKlovr, a virtual college counseling platform.
MyKlovr supports learners of all ages and stages and is available 24/7 to assist users with sound college, career, and financial advice. To get started, go to MyKlovr and take advantage of the employer discount available to you as an AXA XL colleague.
Prepare your finances for college
- Talk to a Merrill financial advisor at 877-654-2427 for personalized advice on matters like managing debt, budgeting, and saving for large purchases.
- Access Merrill’s Education Center for resources to help you save for college, including:
- Encourage your child(ren), who graduated from high school or is graduating this year and will be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate institution in the fall, to apply for the XL America Scholarship Program. For more information, please contact axaxl@scholarshipamerica.org.
Focus on your own professional development
We support your aspiration to pursue further education and make it easier for you to continue learning, building skills, and advancing your career. As an AXA XL colleague, you are immediately eligible to participate in the professional development and educational assistance program.
For more information, please refer to the Employee Handbook and contact RMBenefitsAdministration@axaxl.com.