This is it folks! The final weeks of summer vacation.
Llittle ones across the country will soon (or already have) start wake up early *yawn*, eat a nutritious breakfast, get dressed in new clothes and head out the door for their first day (or first day back) to school.
After a summer of late nights, lazy days, vacations & impromptu trips to the beach, getting back into a routine can seem like a daunting task.
These 5 tips will help make the transition to Back to School easier on the whole family!
The Family Command Centre
Photo credit I am Momma – Hear Me Roar
With back to school, also seems to come an increase in extra curricular activities. There’s sports, school plays, PTA meetings, recitals – this list never ends!
Keep everyone on track and moving in the same direction with a Family Command Centre! Each centre will be different depending on your families specific needs but there are a few things that you should consider adding to yours such as:
– a large dry-erase calendar (a multi-month calendar is ideal) to write down all important dates, meetings and appointments.
– a chalkboard or dry-erase board to write message on. Think “dinners in the fridge” or “don’t forget soccer at 6” or even a simply “love you!”
– a place for keys. Never. Search. Again.
– a spot to recharge your devices. Keep all of your families tablets, phones & iPods charged and secure in one spot.
– a bucket or basket for loose items
– binder with emergency contact information
– a small filing system for bills & mail, homework, forms to be signed
Create A Homework Station
Photo credit Brookfield Homes
Creating a Homework Station in your home will provide students a go-to, distraction-free space in which to get their assignments done.
Ensure you homework station is well stocked with pens, pencils, erasers, note paper, staples, clips etc. This way you can prevent wandering to “look for” an item. It’s all right there, in one space and easily accesible.
Also be sure your Homework Station is away from TVs & computers (except when needed for homework of course!). Avoiding distractions will help ensure you kids get their homework done before gaming, TV and Facebook take over!
Have An Arsenal of Lunch Ideas
Photo credit Thirty Handmade Days
Prepacked lunches can be a bit of a drag. One can only eat so many PB&J or ham & cheese sandwiches a week.
Having a wide variety of lunch box ideas can help make packing lunches more fun for you & more enticing to eat for them!
Make Meals Ahead of Time
Photo credit New Leaf Wellness
Breakfast & Supper. Two of the busiest times of the school/work day. Make these times run a little more smoothly by preparing meals ahead of time.
Freezer breakfast & dinner recipes are plentiful on Google & Pinterest. Make a big batch on the weekend and save yourself time and frustration during the week. It also helps decrease the amount of take out you’ll get while increasing the relaxed family time you can spend together!
Start Your New Routine Early
I know, I know. It sounds terrible. Spending the last week of summer vacation waking up and going to bed earlier than you have to.
But starting those routines – getting up to an alarm clock, getting dressed, eating breakfast and preparing to go about your day then going to bed early – will help make the transition earlier when the big day actually arrives!
This way you will also iron out any kinks in your routine like who needs to get up & get showered first, any personal care items you need to pick up etc.
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I’d love to hear what things your family does to get ready for back to school! Share your tips and tricks with us the SaveaLoonie Facebook Page!
