Have you noticed lately that nights are a little bit cooler, days are a little bit shorter, and leaves are already showing off their autumn-colored hues? That can only mean one thing – back-to-School Preparation Tips season is upon us. And that means it’s time to get back into a routine after a summer of fun.
So as you try to squeeze in a few more trips to the lake and soak up every last bit of sun, take time to make sure that your family is ready to start the school season off on the right foot. Here are a few tips to get your kids ready for a year of new adventures and learning.
Ease your children into a new schedule.
Don’t wait until the night before the first day of school to re-introduce an earlier bedtime. Instead, use the last 1-2 weeks of summer vacation to gradually move up their bedtime. If you have late sleepers on your hands, wake them up a little earlier each morning. Children of all ages need to be well rested in order to perform at their best.
Get mealtimes back on track.
Summertime can be a free for all when it comes to meals. Between late mornings and food on the go, it can be tough to fall back into a mealtime routine once school starts. So make the transition a little easier by using the last week or so to get your family used to eating regular meals around set times.
Make dinnertime a little less stressful by meal-planning.
Have you ever come home after a hectic day of school, work, and after school activities only to hear, “What’s for dinner?” Take the guesswork out of dinner by planning a week’s worth of meals on the weekend. When you cook, consider making a double batch so you can freeze half for another meal.
Get organized before the hand-outs start coming home.
Designate an area of your family room or kitchen as “School Central”. Keep a folder or cubby for each child, and use a dry erase calendar to keep track of activities and important dates.
Alleviate morning chaos by preparing the night before. Pack backpacks and gear, double check homework, and select outfits the night before instead of leaving it for the morning rush. Moving baths or showers to nighttime can also free up some much needed time in the morning.
And finally, do a trial run, and make any adjustments necessary.
Also, if your summer schedule has prevented you from making needed plumbing repairs – like tending to a slow-draining sink drain or a leaky faucet – now’s a great time to call Norhio Plumbing so you’ll be “all systems go” before the first school bell of the new year rings.
