Summer is Over: Back to School Prep

It’s that time again….our kids are headed back to school. Whether you are jumping up and down screaming “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” or crying as the days quickly melt away; the transition can be tough! How can we best prepare our children and ourselves for the massive change in schedule and routine? My advice is to start with the basics. What are the basics you ask? Simple changes that can help our kids get back on track!

Shift Sleep Schedules Gradually

Instead of letting them sleep in until 2 pm, grab a bowl of sugary cereal and flop down in front of a video game all day… Try waking them up earlier. Will this be a shock to their system? Yes, so do it slowly. Start by decreasing the time every few days…wake them at 1 pm, then 12…you get the drift until they are regularly waking up earlier. Trust me, their bodies will thank you! Yes, they may fuss, but better to whine on a laid back summer day than when you’re in a frenzied rush to school! Since we’re at it, let’s try going to bed earlier too! This will help with that sleepy feeling in the morning and will decrease the time you spend threatening them if they don’t “get outta that bed!”

Practice Getting Dressed

Encourage your children to get dressed for the day. Sloppy pjs may be the norm on summers off, but at school…it’s a no-no. So, put on some shorts, that favorite t-shirt, and run a comb through that messy bed-head!

Return to a School-Year Breakfast Routine

Also, serve the breakfast they would normally eat during the school year. Will you have to adjust to not just serving cereal? Probably, but it’s worth it! So, pour some milk, make some oatmeal and ensure your kids have the protein needed to get them through the day!

Limit Screen Time and Savor the Summer

Lastly…and the most dreaded…limit screen time! I know, I know, it’s a lot to ask. They enjoy their screens and it gives us parents just a minute to ourselves. Think about it this way…if your child is 10, you only have 7-8 more summers left with them. That time flies by so fast! Make the most of it, and spend some time bonding with them. This could mean going to play mini-golf, grabbing a snow cone, hitting up the movie theatre on dollar days and anything else you would enjoy together! It doesn’t have to cost a lot either. You could go to the park, the community pool or the library! Check out what your area offers for youth!

Make a Prep Checklist

If all else fails, make a checklist for yourself! Think about how gratifying it will be to knock some of those school tasks off your list! If you can’t do everything, that’s okay! Prepare them as much as possible in a way that works best for you and your family!

Cherish These Moments

Remember, childhood is bittersweet. You want them to grow up, but you also want time to stop! Make the most of the time you have together, these will be the summers they will cherish! “Childhood is but a fleeting moment, and before you know it, they’ll be grown and gone.” – Adrian Culp

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