Here We Go Again
Every year, when August sneaks up and summer winds down, it’s hard to shake the feeling: didn’t summer just start?
Well, evidently not, because here we are – the back to school sales are well underway and big yellow buses across the nation are gassing up for the first day back.
To us adults, it’s a bittersweet time. For so many reasons.
But to our children, it’s been a summer.
Remember that? A whole lifetime of adventure, packed into 3 long, incredible months.
Here at the tail end of the season, we truly hope you and you’re kids had a great one.
But with all the stress and moving parts of getting back into the swing of things, we wanted to help you out with a few tips for getting your home ready for the coming school year.
1.Get Back on Schedule – Sooner, Than Later
No one enjoys talking about school nights and bedtimes, but it’s a conversation worth having.
Studies show that to best get your children adjusted for the school year, start getting them back into their school routine as early as two weeks before school starts.
Typically, summer bedtimes are a little later, and more varied, than what you’d like during the school year.
Also, summer meals are often dictated more by a day’s activities than by a ringing bell.
So if you’re able, get your kids back to regularly scheduled programming sometime prior to the night before day one. It will make the transition much, much smoother.
2. Tidy Up
As you might do in the spring, back to school time is another great opportunity to clean up and get rid of summer clutter.
Aside from the obvious benefits of having a clean home, tidiness naturally puts everyone at ease and will have your children mentally ready for the year ahead.
Take a look around the house: What can you throw out, donate, or store for next summer?
Chances are, you’ll be busy in no time.
3. Designate a Work Area
They say you get the best rest when your room is used only for sleeping.
Well, the best work gets done when you have a dedicated area for work, and work alone.
Try to set up a specific space for your kids to do their homework and studying. Ideally, a place that isn’t used for watching TV, eating or playing.
This is how good habits will start to thrive – and any parent could benefit from homework taking the shape of a habit, and less of a nightly burden.
4. Organize for Daily Necessities
On a busy morning, rushing around the house looking for backpacks, shoes, lunchboxes and jackets is probably the last thing you need.
The fact is: some items are used every single day.
So if you can have an area that works as a homebase for those items – again – routine will eventually take over and you’ll avoid the daily game of tired-eyed hide and seek.
Backpacks? Try hooks by the door, or shelves in the entryway.
Shoes? Use a shoe rack or cubbies, placed in the most convenient space you have available.
You get the idea.
Good Luck!
Back to school can be a stressful time, but it should be a big help to take things one step at a time, and focus on the upside.
Because at the end of the day: it’s an exciting time. A new year is a new chance for learning, growing, making friends and having a good time all the while.
So follow these tips, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and get ready for a great year ahead.
