Many of us fall into a more relaxed schedule during summer and it can be hard to adjust, but there are a few things that you can do to ease the transition.
- Slowly adjust their schedules starting a week in advance if you can. Starting with 10-30 minute increments (depending on their age and schedule). Always start off by waking them up earlier before you try to adjust the bedtime. This works for parents too! Everyone in the household will have an easier time than all of a sudden trying to wake up an hour or two earlier.
- Take a warm bath an hour or two before bedtime.
- Discourage electronics at least an hour before bed, and instead encourage board games, and reading.
- Try not to use that snooze button, it never helps, it just disrupts your normal sleep patterns and leaves you tired for the rest of the day. If you have an extra 10 minutes in the morning, you are better off setting your alarm for 10 minutes later than snoozing for those10 minutes.
- Have clothing and backpacks laid out and ready to go, donāt forget the shoes, thereās nothing worse than scouring the house for a missing shoe.
- Get your kids involved in the morning routine, give them a checklist of age-appropriate things they can do on their own.
- New school? Try to set-up some playdates with new classmates in order to ease anxiety.
- Have all medical appointments done and your health forms ready to go.
- Donāt wait until the last minute to get all of your school supplies and uniforms.
- Have healthy snacks ready for when the kids get home, as well as a quiet and uncluttered study area for homework.
- Reward smooth mornings.
- Pack a little extra patience during the first few weeks of school.
