Taming the Fall Chaos
Posted
by
WinterKids
on Friday, September 5, 2014
The lazy days of summer are gone. Alarm clocks are buzzing, homework is ever-present, and sports are cutting into the coveted family dinners.
If your house is anything like ours, settling into the new fall routine at home is challenging for everyone. As much as I live in denial each autumn, I have tried my best to initiate a routine as quickly as possible to create our families new normal. Here are a few of our tried and true regimens that I hope can help take a bit of the chaos out of this annual, household transition!
Set a Consistent Bedtime
We found the new routine has to start at bedtime--because without a good night's sleep, everything you try and implement during the day will be greeted with crankiness and lackluster participation. No matter the age of your kids, make bedtime the same time each night with the exception of Friday nights.
It is proven that loss of sleep doesn’t necessarily affect kids the very next day, but the day after that. So if you have a late night on Saturday, don’t expect a jump out of bed on Monday, as that lack of sleep is still present. Friday night is our family’s night to live large!
Wake Up the Same Time Every Day
As much as a regular bedtime is important, so is the time you wake up. By waking up the same time each week day, everyone knows what is expected by a particular time in your morning.
This much-needed consistency is especially important for younger kids. My son knows that if the clock says 7:30am, he should be finished with breakfast and starting to head upstairs for the morning grooming (dressing, teeth, and hair), and the making of his bed.
There is nothing worse than starting your day by rushing and stressing to make it out the door on time. Kids will feel your stress and carry that anxiety with them throughout the day.
Eat a Well-Balanced Breakfast
 Don’t forget the importance of a well balanced breakfast! It’s often one of the only meals left in your control for the entire day. Protein and low sugar is what we strive for at home, since it leaves the kids satisfied and fueled for the upcoming morning of studies.
Another tip (and one that I grumble through as I’m doing it each night): make everyone’s lunch for the next day the night before. Not only does it free up time, but it frees up counter space and clutter as you are trying to get breakfast on the table.
Make Time for the Outdoors
Just because school has begun doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors when time allows. Be sure to take advantage of the warm evenings with walks around the neighborhood or picnics at a child’s outdoor sports practice.
Enjoy everything the fall weather has to offer, like jumping in leaves and even splashing in puddles on a cool, rainy day. Because when you smile, your kids will too!
My final advice: set aside 15 minutes a day to spend alone with each child. You will be amazed at what you will learn about their day when other siblings or distractions are eliminated, and you can listen to what they have to say and enjoy this time. How do you get your family back in the routine of school, sports, and after-school activities? Let us know in the comments below!
Don't forget that Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 2nd. Don’t let it sneak up on you this year and throw all your hard work to acquire a routine out the door. Mark your calendar now for October 27th, and each day after, turn your home clocks back 10 minutes. You’ll be amazed when Sunday the 2nd arrives and everyone is already acclimated to the new time change!
Categories:
Family Fun
Tagged: kids, family, parenting, school
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