School is starting in a couple of weeks, so we’ve started working with the kids to settle back into the weekday routine. During the summer, our schedule is more relaxed because my husband and I both work from home. Now that the school year is about to start, we have to get our kids back into a more structured groove.
Wake Up Call
The time for sleeping in has passed. We’re starting to wake all of our kids, even my youngest who won’t begin school this year, at 7am every morning. We go through the morning routine, just as we will when we’re taking them to school, so their little bodies and minds can adjust to the change before they have to worry about school schedules too. By 8am, all my little guys have had their teeth brushed, ate breakfast and gotten dressed.
Lunch Time
We called the school to see exactly when my oldest would be having lunch. My middle guy will be starting preschool, so he’ll be having lunch with us every day, but we want them to all be on the same page when it comes to meal times. That way, they won’t be going through the first week or so either being too hungry or full until their little tummies get used to the new schedule.
Rest Time
My kindergartner will have a scheduled rest period in the afternoon, and because he’s a very active little man and outgrew regular nap times a while ago, we’ve already started getting him used to the chill time while he’s at home. I’m glad that we’ve been working on this transition with him now, because the first couple of days were pretty rough. I’m happy to parent through a few tantrums at home than have him disrupt his classroom while he gets used to the change.
Snacks
I’ve changed our snack routine to echo what the boys can expect during school days. They have one in the mid-morning and another around 3pm when my oldest will be coming home from school.
Evening
Our evening routine hasn’t seen much of a change. Dinner is the same as always, as are family time and baths. The only major change is that bed time has lost it’s flexibility. At 8:30, my little men are in bed and listening to a story. After kisses goodnight, it’s lights out and off to dreamland, so we can do it all again tomorrow.
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