5 Ways to Get Into a Back-to-School Routine

The school year is here and getting your kids to switch from the carefree, unstructured days of summer into a Back-to-School routine can be a challenge. “I don’t want to go to bed!” “Why can't I stay up?” But with the new school season creeping closer, we need to get the kids (and the parents) back on track, so we aren't so sluggish and disorganized when school begins.

With just a little advanced planning, you can get the family organized and ready for school.

1. Get Some Sleep.

A week or two before school starts, get the kids back onto a school night sleep routine. No more waking up at noon or, with younger kids, waking up at 6 a.m. for no reason. Reestablish a bed time and wake the kids up earlier in the morning to get their body back into a “school sleeping cycle.”

2. State the Rules.

Sit down at the dinner table one night and lay down your expectations for the school year. Remind them of the family rules like:

• No breakfast until they are fully dressed
• Backpack ready the night before
• No friends over until homework is done
• No TV or Wii until homework is done

By stating these up front as a reminder, your kids should have the rules down pat by oh, say Middle School. However, you’ll feel better that you shared your expectations for a successful school year.

If this helps your kids remember the rules, make a chart that reminds them what they need to do each morning or before bed—brush teeth, get backpack ready, set out clothes for the next day, make bed. This takes away your need to nag, … or at least should result in less nagging. There are some great ones to buy, download for free, or make your own.

3. Get a Family Calendar.

A Master Family Calendar is imperative for keeping track of the family’s commitments and should be easily accessible for everyone. Teach your kids how to refer to the family calendar and increase their sense of responsibility by letting them know what they need to prepare for the next day. Keep the calendar in the kitchen or a common room. Here are some ideas to keep on track:

• Once school starts, have them sit with you and write in which days they have gym, art or music. That way you know if you need to bring or wear sneakers on gym day.
• Make it a habit to look at the calendar together after dinner so that everyone can prepare.
• Check their backpack to find those papers with new important dates to mark on the calendar.

Even if you use your Smartphone to keep your personal schedule, it’s nice to a have a written central calendar that the rest of the family can refer to, as well.

4. Give your self the gift of time.

Keeping yourself upbeat and calm in the morning can work wonders on how your kid’s day goes. They can sense your mood. If you are stressed and rushing, they are stressed. Whether you get up extra early to begin the day with some peace and quiet, or down a cup of extra strong coffee; be sure to give your child your brightest smile and a sense of calm in the morning—that is the best gift you can give to help them through the rest of the day. While it’s not fair that you are the one who needs to sacrifice those extra precious minutes of sleep, it’s better for all to not be freaked out in the morning.

5. Breakfast, it does a body good.

Breakfast doesn’t need to be elaborate but it does set the energy level for the whole day. Make sure your kids have plenty of healthy brain food. Keep it simple with cereal, yogurt, granola, fruit, whole grain frozen waffles and hard boiled or scrambled eggs, if they’ll eat it. On Sunday, make pancakes or French toast and freeze it for the week. Don’t let your kids skip breakfast though. Have them eat a cereal bar or banana at the very least, to get the brain going.

The week before school starts, get up a little earlier and try out some new breakfast options to see which the kids like best. (If your kids are like mine, their tastes change monthly. Something they hated last year may suddenly be OK.) This way once school starts, you have a breakfast plan.

What works for you to get your family back into a school routine?