TIPS ON MAKING THE RETURN TO SCHOOL EASIER
General Mills sponsored this post, all the opinions are my own.
The holiday break has flown by. Our break was filled with family, fun, gifts, lots of delicious food, and no set schedule. As the days passed bringing us closer to the return to school, I always start to stress on how the transition will be. Here are some great tips I have enforced to help my family get back into the groove for the second half of the school year!
CORRALLING THE CALENDAR
Vacation time means not having the usually scheduled events that occur during a typical school week. N usually has basketball practice sprinkled between weekly games. G has the same situation just insert “baseball” in lieu of “basketball”.
A few days before we’re back to school, I sit down and map out the week’s calendar of events. When we’re together at mealtime, I go through all of the upcoming events just so that everyone is aware of what the week will hold.
NIGHTTIME ROUTINE
It is super important to start reeling the kids in with regard to bedtime once school is on the horizon. Bedtime on school nights is 8:30 pm. That means they need to be showered/bathed, pajamas on, teeth brushed, books read, and ready to be tucked in. Vacations totally throw this routine out the window! 3 days before we are due back at school, we start to bring their bedtimes back into a more realistic time. Each night we chop a half hour off the “vacation bedtime”, and this drastically helps down the road.
MORNING ROUTINE
One thing that keeps us organized during the school year is our morning routine. That routine goes right out the window when vacation rolls around. A few days before the start of school, we ease the kids back into their morning schedule. No more lounging in pjs until 11 am – it’s time to get up and get dressed, make their beds and then have breakfast at a normal hour.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I feel that it molds what the rest of our day will look like. My little one is a huge but picky cereal lover so when he finds one that he likes, I am so happy! I love to take him to Walmart so we can go up and down the aisle seeing what’s new and sparks interest.
I recently took him to Walmart as school is starting up again, and he requested a new cereal. He went straight for the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shreds. He’s already a fan of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, so this looked like a home run of a choice!
A great advantage to shopping at Walmart is that, aside from shopping in-store, you can shop online and pick up at the store!
Next time you are buying a General Mills cereal at Walmart, be sure to check out the new merchandise offer! Buy 5 items, scan your receipt with the Box Tops Bonus App and earn 50 Bonus Box Tops! Help earn cash for your kid’s school!
A good breakfast really can do wonders to get some energy in the morning. What I found helpful was showering too. But I guess that’s up to the child if they want to take that time in the morning or not.
Yes, showering really gets you up and moving in the morning! My older one likes to shower in the AM.
These sound like some great tips, it can be so hard changing from one routine into another, so having some ways to make it easier for all is a must.
Thanks, Sarah!
I realily appreciate these tips. Wish I’d had some sort of routine when I was heading back to school.
These are really good tips because sometimes it’s really hard to go back into the whole school time routine.
Thank you Yocana!
“Controlling the Calendar” is super important as I have THREE kids myself! Things get a bit out-of-hand if you don’t have some sort of schedule or routine. Thanks for the helpful tips.
That cereal makes ME want to go back to school and I’m old and moldy. Seriously I love cinnamon toast crunch. Your tips are great and I need to send them to my daughter. Her mornings aren’t always breezy easy.
Gosh do I remember when I had to go back to school. I would CRY AND CRY AND CRY! I hated school so so so so so much! Thank goodness it’s ONLY a faint memory now! hahaha!
As a mum to 6 this advice is always welcomed school mornings can become a nightmare
My little one just started Kindergarten, I find that sticking to a night time routine as well as a morning one rally helps out.
Agreed, Sheri! Schedules help keep everyone in check 🙂
Going back to school after a break can certainly be difficult. Sometimes you gotta ease them back into it.
Back to school time is always a challenge. Thanks for this post!
Yep. You do have to be firm!
Otherwise, the first day back will be painful! LOL
A good routine will make going back to school easier for anyone. Make the routine not such a drag either will be better for kids too.
I agree! If you make the routine fun and not as boring as following a strict schedule, it will make things a lot better.
I remember going back to school after the holidays and it was so tough! I used to like going back and seeing my friends but not the classes and homework! Even as an adult it can be hard to go back to work after some nice holidays. The routine and these tips are great ideas for parents 🙂
You are so right that it is hard as an adult too! 🙂
Like a kid, I was trying to follow up with some routine. Like my grandparents were doing (because they were still working back then). I was always reading, and writing, and making shows… I have a toddler now and we stick to a certain routine as well. Because he will lose interest in learning letters if we skip it that morning. That’s the way us kids are. 🙂
It sounds like you grew up similarly to me and now are raising your baby the same!!
Getting back into routines can be such a trying process, especially after the holiday seasons. It really does go a long way if we have a sleeping pattern and day schedule down. Great posts!
I agree with you 100%. A good night’s sleep is paramount, starts the day off right!
As I’m not a parent myself (yet), I’ve not had to endure any of these “issues” per say. But it sounds like you’ve got some great experience and advice here to share with other parents x
Thanks, Becca!
Very usedul tips! I home school, but still we have to have a night routine so that way she wakes up fresh next morning! Thanks for sharing❤️
Keeping the kids on a schedule really helps to organize the day for everyone!
I remember how hard it was to get back to routine when i was in school and i find the same with work so these tips are useful!
I am glad the tips are helpful for you, Tee! 🙂
Why have I never heard of this cereal? It looks delicious and would help me return to school for sure if that were my breakfast.
It is really good! It’s new and only out for a limited time 🙂
Thanks for the tips.. I really need to read and apply this to my life, so that my kiddos can return to school much more easier…
I’m glad the tips will come in handy for you, Kylie!
Getting back to school has always been a challenge. Thank you for sharing your tips! Must keep them all in mind and apply them all next time 🙂 Cheers!
My pleasure 🙂 I hope the tips help!
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