Summertime is a time for relaxed schedules, kids can stay up a little later, sleep a little longer, lounge around in their pajamas all morning. But before you know it, the clock will rule the morning again. What can you do to help your kids adjust from the relaxation of summer to the schedules of school?
Back to School – Back to Schedules
Summertime – schedules are relaxed, kids can stay up a little later, sleep a little longer, lounge around in their pajamas all morning. But before you know it, the clock will rule the morning again. How do you help kids adjust from the relaxation of summer to the schedules of school? In addition, enrolling them in STEM summer camps may help in preparing them for their big return to school.
Start Early
Your kids are not going to be happy if they can stay up to 11:00 one night and have to be in bed by 8:00 the next night. In fact, they probably won’t be able to make such a drastic change so quickly and will make everybody miserable. Begin slowly reintroducing your regular bedtime and wake-up schedules a few weeks before school starts so everyone is used to the change.
Set the Alarm Clock
In addition to going to bed earlier, kids need to adjust to getting up earlier. Have them start getting up a little earlier each day until they are getting up at their regular time. Also have them get dressed and eat breakfast when they get up, instead of playing and watching TV.
Connect with Friends
Between camps, vacations, and family times, kids may lose touch with their friends over the summer. Schedule some play dates with friends to help your child start to think about getting back to school.
Re-establish Regular Routines
If you have let routines such as a family dinner or a story before bedtime slip during the summer, re-establish them now.
Schedule Appointments
Physicals, kids vaccinations, teeth cleaning, eye checkups, boys haircuts– the last few weeks before school can be busy with appointments. Try to spread the appointments out so you still have time for fun, but also try to get them all in before school starts. Otherwise, you may end up pulling your kids out of class for routine appointments.
A Last Gasp of Fun
Ask everyone what one thing they wanted to do this summer that they didn’t get to do – and then go do it! Make the last few weeks of summer a fun time as you slowly ease back into your school-year routine.
One additional piece of advice, don’t forget about couple time too. It is important that parents have this space for them to love each other and to better express their feelings to their children.
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