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Back-to-school changes parents' routines too
Categories: Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Education, Bedtime
Shortly after school let out last spring, our schedule began to slide. The kids' normally strict bedtime began inching back, and now they're often up with us enjoying the sweetness of the late summer evenings. The flip side to this, of course, is that they sleep in until 8:30 or 9 every morning... sheer indulgence for this mom of early risers.
Our summer been decidedly unscheduled -- no day camp, no babysitters, no classes or sports, save for some evening swimming lessons. After a long winter of endless colds and flus and a hectic spring, we were looking for something a little more low-key. But as I settle back to enjoy a morning ofsunbathing with book in hand supervising them in their wading pool, I realize that not only do I have a lot of work to do to get them ready for fall, I need to prepare myself for the culture-shock as well.
Changes in schedule can be stressful to a family, even families who stayed on a regular routine all summer. Kids have new classrooms to adjust to, new friends to meet. There are extra-curricular activities and carpools and homework. Life just gets busier, and whether you're a parent who juggles family life from home or from your 9-5 job, those first few weeks can be kind of overwhelming.Parenting.com has 55 smart ways to get set for school, and many of those tips are not for students, but to help Mom and Dad start the school year off on the right foot. Some of my favorites include:
Our summer been decidedly unscheduled -- no day camp, no babysitters, no classes or sports, save for some evening swimming lessons. After a long winter of endless colds and flus and a hectic spring, we were looking for something a little more low-key. But as I settle back to enjoy a morning of
Changes in schedule can be stressful to a family, even families who stayed on a regular routine all summer. Kids have new classrooms to adjust to, new friends to meet. There are extra-curricular activities and carpools and homework. Life just gets busier, and whether you're a parent who juggles family life from home or from your 9-5 job, those first few weeks can be kind of overwhelming.Parenting.com has 55 smart ways to get set for school, and many of those tips are not for students, but to help Mom and Dad start the school year off on the right foot. Some of my favorites include:
- Get up 15 minutes earlier than everyone else in the morning, for a brief minute of peace before the day begins.
- Delegate morning chores amongst your children, to lighten your own load.
- Make the morning routine fun and playful to reduce your own stress, which is sure to rub off on your kids.
- Don't be afraid to make changes. When your routine isn't working, examine it to figure out how to make things go more smoothly.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
try2doitall 7-29-2008 @ 1:45PM
Day camp has kept the kids on a bit of a routine, thank god. However, this fall will see us starting middle school for daughter, 4th grade for son (the big kid elementary school) and (hopefully) a new Job for mom. As a big fan of planning, routine, and consistency (and as a single parent) I am trying to figure out how to juggle the fact we all have to be out of the house at the same time now. Previously Daughter left at 710am, son left at 815am and mom left at 840am, now we all have to be out of the house for 7am, ugg. As mom to a very reluctant riser (son) this will be a great feat of nature. We set out everything the night before, including non-perishable bfast stuff and he still s-t-a-l-l-s. Any suggestions?
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ame s 7-29-2008 @ 11:10PM
My 3rd grader returns to school on August 6, my 5th grader on August 8. My older daughter's school day starts at 7:40, 8:30 for my younger one.
Besides a week at Disneyworld and a week at horse riding camp, we have had no real schedule to speak of this summer. I'm not looking forward to getting back on our school day schedule.
This week, I am sending them to bed at 8:30 and trying to get them up by 8.
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rebecca Biernesser 7-29-2008 @ 3:12PM
I dread the school year but at the same time I'm sooo ready for it to start. We are at a new school and it starts at 8 and ends at 3. Our sold school started at 9 and b/c of the bus schedule, we could wake up at 8 and still have plenty of time to get ready. Now we have to UP at 6:15. Add to this mix is a mom that IS NOT a morning person....oh god, it hasn't started and I already dread waking up at 6........
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