Helping parents create a successful Back-to-School routine

Having a plan can help improve your morning routine and ensure the whole family starts the day off on better footing. Here are six tips to get you started right.

1. Make sure everyone is getting enough sleep.
   You’ve heard it before, but the importance of sleep in a child’s development and performance cannot be overstated. Here’s a Sleep Requirements Chart that breaks down how much sleep kids need based on age
2. Prepare the night before.
   Try to minimize the number of responsibilities everyone has in the morning by using evening quiet time to organize.

• Prepare breakfast the night before.
  • 25 Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas for Back to School by Lifeway.com
• Plan lunches for the week.
• Pick out kids clothes before bed or select a few outfit choices they can quickly choose from in the morning.
• Keep all school items in the same place every day. This will prevent you searching the house for backpacks, shoes, lunch boxes etc.

3.  Get up before your kids.
   Adults benefit from a routine too to lessen the pressure of daily demands. Begin a morning ritual that helps you start your day off well before your kids wake up.
4.  Make a morning routine chart.
   If you have younger kids use pictures in a morning routine chart. Encourage your child to take ownership of tasks.
5.  Remain calm and connected.
   Kids can sense when you are rushed or frantic and tend to mirror your actions by slowing down and resisting, adding to your frustration. Try whispering. Sounds silly, but it will force you to have a calmer voice.
6.  Make weekends special.
   It’s a good idea not to stray too much from routine on weekends, but it’s also nice to slow things down and enjoy family time. We suggest starting a weekend tradition like pancakes or enjoying family activities together like swimming.

By incorporating some of these tips, you can ease the stress of this time of day, feel calmer and set the pace for a beautiful day.