Are You Ready 4 SCHOOL!? 5 Ways To Be Prepared.
Have you noticed? Have you felt the tremors? School is almost upon us and for a few of you…it is here. The emotions are missed…a few of you are doing back flips the kids are out of the house, while others are weeping…they have to start packing those stinking lunches!!!
To be real, I don’t believe most people are ready to say, good-bye to the simple days of summer…I could be wrong, but I doubt it. It is nice to be out on some late nights and have light schedules. Those days are almost gone, you now get blessed with homework, practices, carpools, drop off lines from hell, and those stinking lunches! I hate to break it to you, but the slow days of summer are going if not gone ;-(.
So with the end of summer racing towards us it is wise to start to develop a routine so you and your family can transition well. Also, I get it, new routines are tough and challenging under any circumstances. But when our routines change from ‘fun and relaxing’ to ‘less fun…ok probably a lot less fun : ) and somewhat stressful,’ it can be even tougher to pull off!
Which why, I believe the best way to lessen the shock of school is to ease your children into their school routine before school starts. Getting a jumpstart on new schedules, responsibilities, routines, etc will allow them to adjust before the big day hits and it will help you out as well.
Here are some areas to focus on for back to school prep:
- Sleep schedule. First, be real, without even realizing it you tended to go to bed later and wake up times were random at best. This is likely due to several factors, the days are longer, there is no school bus to miss, or there is no carline to avoid. However, once school starts, your kiddos need to be on a different sleep schedule, otherwise they will have a hard time getting up and will have sour attitudes. I suggest a few days before school starts, ease their bedtimes and wake times back 15 minutes each day. This will help them to painlessly get used to a more school-friendly sleep schedule.
- Daily schedule. Your children have probably grown accustomed to low pressure schedules this summer (unless you are a Soccer/Sports Mom, then your schedule is crazy year around). However, when school starts, having a schedule is critical. There are only so many hours each day to fit in school, homework, extra-curricular activities, church, chores, etc. Make it all work by creating a schedule that your children can follow.
- Chores. The only way to make a busy household run smoothly is for everyone to pull their share of the load. Assign each of your children age-appropriate chores to do. Offer rewards for a job well done and give additional chores for non-compliance…or burpees, maybe even dead bugs (only half joking). Even preschoolers can help around the house by emptying small trash cans and picking up toys and books.
- Planners – http://planners4kids.com/. Ok, full disclosure. When I was researching information to write this article I found this tip. I won’t lie, I am super skeptical of this idea. However, I have been wrong before. If you try it out let me know. Any way, the “theory goes” buy each of your children a planner and help them to get used to using it before school starts. The more familiar they are with their planner, the easier it will be for them to use it when classes and other activities get underway. Encourage them to write in their class schedule, their homework schedule, their sports and club schedules and even their chore routines.
- Fitness. It goes without saying that your children need to move. Literally. Sitting for long hours in the classroom and on the bus hinders their ability to concentrate and also lowers their energy levels. If your school does not offer a physical education program, get your child involved in some kind of exercise routine. Not only will their grades likely improve, but they will be less stressed in general and will be more able to handle the pressures that school brings.
Back to school prep does not have to be difficult; it just takes a little planning. Using these tips will help to instill good habits in your children that will set them up for success.
Go be awesome!
KELLEN LAKE – Helping you make sure this school year is AWESOME!
PS – If you really hate making lunches, just order Just 4 You Kids Meals, click out the menu options 😉. https://just-4-you-meals.myshopify.com/collections/just-4-you-kids-meals
PSS – If you would like a workout to complete over the weekend check this one out ;-).
Warm-up with 5- 10 minutes of light cardio, then dynamic stretches (leg swings, arm circles, etc.). After the workout, cool down with light cardio (walking, etc.) to bring down the heart rate, and then stretch.
Perform 3 rounds.
15 Goblet Squats with a Bicep Curl at bottom
14 1-Arm Swings (1-1)
13 Lateral Step-Up with Abduction (13/side)
12 Dips (alternate)
11 Incline OR Decline Push-ups
10 Box Jumps (step-down ONLY – mod with step-ups) or Walking Lunges
200 meter run
