It’s that time of year again! Time to swap out the swim goggles and beach towels for pencils and backpacks. Sure, the days are still plenty warm, but back-to-school season is officially upon us. While you try to squeeze every bit of summer in before the first School Preparations bell rings, don’t forget to start transitioning back into a routine to make the return of homework, early bedtimes, and – unfortunately – early mornings a little easier for your kids to get back into their school-year jam.
Here are 8 back-to-school tips to help the entire family get the new school year started on the right foot.
Move up bedtime gradually.
At least a week before school resumes, make sure your children go to bed a little earlier each night. And if you’re lucky enough to have children who enjoy sleeping in, start waking them up a little earlier each morning until you’re all back on schedule (or close to it).
Make regular mealtimes a priority.
Summertime means late breakfasts, lunch by the pool or at the beach, and the occasional ice cream bar for dinner. Make transitioning back to school a little easier – and healthier – by scheduling regular mealtimes the week before school starts.
Make a double batch.
When you’re cooking, double up on your recipes so you can freeze half for another night when you might be pressed for time or simply don’t feel like cooking. Meal planning not only saves time, but money as well.
Set up designated homework areas.
Make sure each child has a calm, quiet space where they can stay organized and concentrate. Keep in mind this may be different for each child depending on their age, needs, and study habits.
Get organized.
All that paperwork will soon start flooding in so have a cubby, bulletin board, or folder for each child to keep track of it all. Set up a calendar for extracurricular activities, meetings, school trips, and other important dates. And designate a spot for back packs, lunch boxes, sports/music equipment, and anything else they might need during the school week.
Establish ground rules.
Whether it’s no electronics before bed, homework before dinner, or lights out at 9pm, establish and go over the ground rules to reduce some of the daily stress.
Do a trial run.
Whether this is your first year with a school-aged child or you simply need to get used to earlier mornings yourself, doing a trial run a day or two before school starts can help you prepare and make needed adjustments.
Talk to your child.
Most importantly, ask your child about any back-to-school jitters they may be experiencing, any concerns they have, and work together to help them feel at ease.
At Messmer, we are not back-to-school specialists…at least not as a company. But here’s one thing we can do to help, and that is to ensure your family has all the hot shower water you need so everyone who needs a morning shower won’t be left out in the cold. Contact us today if your water heater has been acting up so we figure out what’s wrong with it. Or maybe it’s old enough that it’s time to replace it. For hot water issues and your family’s plumbing needs, Messmer Mechanical is ready to help.