Getting Kids Back Into a School Routine
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Getting kids back into a school routine can be a challenge. We tend to relax a bit over the summer. Sometimes we might relax too much. The days feel endless, so we let our kids stay up just a little bit later, spend more time in front of screens, and eat a bit more junk food.
Like many parents, we want to set our kids up for success during the school year.
To set the kids up with a successful routine, we need to evaluate their current routines and set goals. Every homeschool family is different, so a routine that works for one family might not work for another. This is not a one-size-fits-all lifestyle. Getting kids back into a school routine will only work if it is a routine that works for your family members and supports your goals.
Getting Kids Back Into a School Routine
When I looked at our curriculum, co-op schedule, and extra-curricular activities, I determined that these are the areas we need to change in order to be ready for school.
Bedtime
Hannah and Ben go to bed fairly early. They are usually upstairs at 8:00. During the summer, they are allowed to play on their Kindles, read, or play quietly in their rooms until 10:00. This seems like it will be too late during the school year. Honestly, that is later than I want to be awake during the school year! The National Sleep Foundation recommends that school-age children sleep somewhere between 9 and 11 hours a night.
Wake-Up Time
I feel like we get so much more done in a day when we wake up bright and early. During the summer, our schedule is relaxed enough that I let the kids wake up naturally on their own. We can’t be late for co-op though, so we will need an official wake-up time.
Productive Mornings
Summertime means mornings lazing around in pajamas for as long as possible. That just isn’t possible during the school year, though. Some of our co-op classes are first thing in the morning! I’m telling myself that productive school mornings will make quiet weekend mornings feel like a treat.
Reign in Food Choices
I try to serve healthy whole foods the majority of the time. My kids seem to have an easier time focusing and behaving well when they eat enough protein and healthy fats. Over the summer we loosened our food guidelines a bit to allow for special events, but it is time to get everyone eating good healthy food again so they can learn their best.
Limit Screen Time
During the summer we allow one hour of screen time Monday – Friday and a somewhat unlimited amount, within reason, during the weekends. That all comes to a screeching halt once school starts. During the school year, we only allow screen time on school days if it is educational. They might watch a Magic School Bus episode on Netflix, but the Xbox stays turned off until the weekend. We implemented this rule last year, and it really helped prevent the kids from rushing through their school work.
Identifying problem areas and setting goals is a great start, but that alone won’t automatically get us ready for school. Next, we need to set up an action plan. What exactly are we going to do BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS so that we meet our goals?
My Back to School Action Plan
- Turn off lights and give hugs and kisses (and probably last-minute glasses of water) at 9:00.
- Set an alarm clock to wake the kids up between 7:00 and 7:30. Hopefully this earlier wake-up time will mean the kids are tired earlier too.
- Get dressed and eat breakfast as soon as the kids are up. I will plan errands or playdates that will take us out of the house in the morning so the kids are excited to be out and about early.
- I will meal plan and cook with my kids. They are less likely to resist healthy meals if I serve their favorite nutritious foods and they help cook and bake.
- We will cut back on screen time this week. Hannah and Ben can plan their screen time so that it is intentional. I will also suggest games and activities sure to lure them away from the screens without a fuss.
I hope these tips make getting kids back into a school routine easier!
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