It is definitely getting to be that time of year. School supplies are out and back to school season is in full swing once again. It means that the less-structured, more leisurely and fun days of summer are coming to an end. It can be a really hard and stressful time for both parents and kids. Trying to get back into a routine can be a struggle – but there are some things that you can do to make the transition back a little easier for everyone.
Ease Back into Your Routines
My girls are loving that they can go to bed a little later and wake up a little later. When school starts, this is not going to be the case and I don’t want it to be a huge shock to their system. Mackenzie needs to be at school for 730am. I usually wake her up at 645am. Right now she wakes up at about 730/8am and goes to bed around 9pm. 2 weeks before school starts I will start the change over to earlier bedtimes in 15 minute increments. The first day of school is August 28th, so the night of the 13th through the 15th Mackenzie will be in bed by 845pm, the 16th through the 18th – 830pm, the 19th through the 21st – 815pm and then after the 21st – it will be 8pm. For waking up, I will do the same 15 minute increment schedule and start the week of the 13th-15th at 745am, 16th-18th 730am, 19-21st at 715am, 22nd-24th at 7am and then from then on she will be woken up at 645am. I draw out the waking her up earlier for longer because she is not a morning person, and it is hard for her sometimes to wake up.
Create and Continue Good Habits
One of my biggest issues 2 years ago was finding shoes right before we needed to leave. It was as if the shoes had developed legs and walked away. It always made me late in the morning. From then on I vowed that there was going to be one spot for shoes to make it a lot easier in the morning. Right now that spot is in their rooms. They know, as soon as they get home, to take off their shoes and bring their shoes upstairs. Mackenzie also changes out of her uniform and puts on play clothes. They both wash their hands and come downstairs for snack. It is a rehearsed routine that happens everyday and has become a habit – I don’t even have to tell them, they just do it. The same situation happens for bedtime. They get baths at 730pm, then it’s PJs, brush hair and teeth, stories and bedtime by 8 o’clock. Kids thrive on routines – they know exactly what to expect and it makes things run so much smoother.
Sort Through & Donate Old Clothes
Now is the time that I am going through my daughter’s clothes to see what fits and what doesn’t. Mackenzie wears a uniform, which definitely makes things easier, but it would be problematic if I waited until the first day of school and nothing fit. Next week our school does a uniform swap where people swap and donate gently used uniforms. It is definitely a God-send because the uniforms are definitely pricey. I went through Mackenzie’s drawers and put aside any jumpers, skirts, shirts, tights, knee high socks, and gym uniforms that were still in good condition and that did not fit and put them in a bag to take to the school before the uniform swap. I then made a list of the things she needs and will bring that with me to the swap. Whatever I am unable to get at the swap will then be purchased through the uniform store prior to school starting. The week prior to school starting I make sure everything is washed and ready to go for the first day of school.
Make a Homework Station
I purchased little containers from the dollar store and I love them for Mackenzie’s homework area. I have them tucked away in our cabinet and she knows that when school starts, she goes to the dining table, puts her book bag on the chair, grabs her container and goes to work. Having her homework station in a central place is easier for my husband and I so that we can multi-task helping her and getting dinner ready.
Have a Lunch Making Station
Mornings are crazy busy so I make sure that I have everything in a central area for when I am making lunch. I bought a bunch of containers from the dollar tree which I showed in this post and have all of these containers, Mackenzie’s lunch bag, snack containers, napkins, and other items ready to go in one area of my kitchen to make it super convenient when I make lunches for the both of us. So whether I am making her lunch in the morning or prior to bedtime, I can get it done quickly and easily.
Have Breakfast Ideas and Supplies at the Ready
Right before school starts I buy a couple of different cereals, make homemade pancakes and freeze a batch of them to have on hand, I make a batch of French toast and cut it up to have French toast sticks on hand, as well as buy eggs and fruit and make sure there is syrup. I like Mackenzie to have options to choose from to make the first week especially nice for her and ensure that she gets a good breakfast.
Use a Planner
I use my planner to keep track of everything, but it especially helps with keeping track of school events and days off. I mark in my year at a glance section a certain color for early dismissal, and another for days when there is no school. I also mark in days that I have off or have taken off. I use post-its to mark in the monthly calendar certain events or things that are going on in the month – like pajama day, father-daughter dance, or the school carnival. When I am ready to plan that month, I take off the post-its and mark it accordingly. I take my planner everywhere with me so that I always know what we have going on.
