With the summer days winding down and the start of the school year fast approaching, my family is suddenly tasked with getting back into a routine.
And while it’s sad to see the lazy days of summer go, it can be nice to get back into an everyday rhythm.
Here are some steps to help make the transition to school days go smoothly.
5 Tips to Set Up a School Year Routine
1. Start a Routine Early
Don’t expect to get back into a schedule the day before school starts. You and your kids will need time to adapt to more structure.
I recommend starting at least a week early, setting a consistent schedule. This includes waking times and bedtimes, meals, etc. Being consistent with a schedule a few weeks in advance will make that first week back to school easier.
2. Reorganize
If you are anything like me, in the summer my house gets out of order. As we are constantly going from one activity to the next, small areas of the house become unorganized. Toys are placed in mismatched bins, laundry gets put away in the wrong drawers, the pantry looks like feral animals found their way into the house, and everyday items are misplaced.
I usually spend a good amount of time reorganizing things in my life, so that when the school year rolls around, I can feel as though the house is in order.
3. Restock the House
Have your day-to-day household items ready for when your schedule becomes stricter.
This is the time of the year where I like to get restocked on toiletry items and shelf-stable foods, such as noodles and cereals, snacks for the pantry, storage bags, etc.
I find that having the essentials on hand, readily available, makes my morning and nighttime routine go much smoother.
4. Plan Ahead
I always feel like summer is a time where I can be a little relaxed with my schedule. However, when the school year rolls around I know it’s time to get back on track.
Get out that old, dusty planner, if you like to go digital, reinstall your favorite planner app, and get organized.
During the school year, I like to know exactly when appointments will be taking place. This is the time when I become more diligent about writing things down and staying organized.
5. Prioritize a Sleep Schedule
I find that the number one thing that can get out of hand in the summer is a sleep routine.
Now that the school year is approaching, I like to prioritize sleep. I try to set more realistic expectations for our daytime routine, so that I can prioritize bedtime when the school year rolls around. This makes the transition to fall easier on all of us.
Following these easy steps is sure to make your transition into a school year routine much easier.
What would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!
