The smell of a fresh pack of sharpened pencils. A college-ruled notebook with that nice, thick kind of paper. A good pen. These are the little things about back-to-school season that are just *chef’s kiss*. That’s how you know you’re an adult… when stationary makes you excited. With back-to-school season in full swing, we gathered our favorite tips and tricks to make the transition back into a routine a smooth ride (even smoother than a trip with your in-laws 😉).
Master the “Once Upon a Time…” Routine
Start up the night time routines about a week before the first day of school and slowly transition your kids back into little morning people. Don’t be afraid to make it fun!
Pro Tip: As a family, try watching an episode a night of your favorite before it’s officially bedtime. With this routine implemented early enough, there won’t be any surprises when it comes to the night before school.
Try to Pack and Plan the Night Before
The key word here is “try!” As much as we can daydream about mornings where everyone is ready on-time — we know the reality is actually negotiating with a five-year-old to wear a matching pair of shoes, or socks for that matter.
Pro Tip: Prepacked, healthy lunch options are an essential when it comes to preserving your time and sanity on busy mornings. Little Spoon’s Lunchers are a fantastic on-the-go option, offering a nutrient-packed mealtime with fun, craveable flavors!
Trade Screen Time for Green Time
It can be so tempting to give your child the password when you’re trying to get things done. When you cave in, the silence is blissful — it almost feels like a reward. As great as it feels to take the easy way out, it’s important to have a balance now and then by trading screen time for time outdoors (when you can) to help your kiddos get all that pent up energy out.
Pro Tip: Try a walk around the neighborhood after dinner to pass the downtime before their nighttime routine. This also helps you get those last minute steps in! Trust us, when bedtime comes around, your kids will be so tired that they won’t have it in them to fight for “5 more minutes”.
Homework: Because 6 Hours at School Isn’t Enough
Everyone’s favorite part of the after school routine. As much as it’s a dread for kids to do and parents to check, set some ground rules early on to manage the inevitable snowball of projects and worksheets.
Pro Tip: Let your little ones decorate a space in your home that is their designated homework station. Let them pick out a cool lava lamp for the desk or hang their favorite pieces of artwork in frames. Anything to get them excited to do their homework in a space that they have made entirely their own.
Bonus Tip: Stock this homework station with anything and everything school-supply related to avoid procrastination — it’s bound to happen when your little one goes looking for something to use as a ruler.
Don’t Forget To Treat Yourself
As much as this time of year is all about the kiddos, who’s packing them healthy lunches, getting them dressed, and out the door on time? You! Amidst the potential chaos of rolling back into the swing of things, find moments for yourself, by yourself (even if it means hiding in the bathroom for an extra few minutes). After school activities always produce the craziest schedules between the hours of 3-7 pm.
Pro Tip: Remember to reward yourself for practically playing the role of a parenting pilot — you got your little ones from one destination to another, and hopefully, on-time. Use the pockets of time between activities to chill out and recharge. Walk a couple of laps around the parking lot and call your bestie. Or, just enjoy the silence and watch an episode of your fave show in the car. Your kids’ schedule becomes your schedule, so try to embrace it — especially when you have an hour of no one asking you a million questions.
