It's Time for a Reset!
As the end of summer slowly approaches and the back to school vibes are in the air, it’s the perfect time to evaluate, adjust and/or create your family’s routine in order to get back on track prior to the first day of school. It’s time for a reset!
Start the conversation with your family unit about the logistics of the upcoming fall schedule, including:
School’s bell schedule, bus/drop-off logistics, morning wake-up alarms, days/times for extracurricular/sports, afterschool homework time
Formalize it! Write out a schedule with the ideas that everyone discussed together
Wake up at 7:30am, breakfast by 8am, bus pick-up at 8:15am, homework time 4-5pm, dinner 5-6pm, sports 6-7pm, etc.
Capture the schedule in a checklist format or use pictures to illustrate each step
Hang the schedule in a central location (i.e. fridge, front door) so everyone can refer to it
Discuss expectations surrounding the routine and the importance of each family member doing their best to follow along
Talk through any challenges that may occur with the schedule and solutions for how those challenges will be handled
i.e. What happens if the bus is delayed for after school drop-off which may impact the time in which homework is started
Routinely review the family schedule and adjust if needed. Be patient with yourselves!
Certain steps or times may need to be shifted to ensure that the routine actually works for your family and it is helping create more consistency in everyone’s busy lives