Creating Effective Back-To-School Routines
Summer is finally wanning and with that, all across America kids are getting ready to head Back-To-School. It’s time to say good-bye to the late summer mornings and unstructured days and say hello to alarm clocks, backpacks and busy schedules. While this transition can oftentimes feel a little bumpy, it’s also a chance for families to regroup, hit the reset button and start anew. Much like the start of a new calendar year, a new school year offers a similar opportunity to realign priorities, reinvent old habits and establish new routines. In doing so, families can trade the Back-To-School chaos for calm and set themselves up to move through the year with less stress and greater ease. The key to calm is in establishing routines that are simple, realistic and supportive of each family’s unique needs. Aim for a handful of intentional habits that anchor the mornings, afternoons and evenings but that are flexible enough to meet the demands of changing schedules and days. Below are a few simple practices that will help to get the new school year off to a great start and keep everyone in the family on track all the way through June.
Start with a Morning Flow, Not a Morning Rush - Mornings set the tone for the rest of the day so it’s important to have a calm, organized routine that makes things easier on everyone. Instead of scrambling at the last minute, create a predictable routine that helps everyone to move smoothly from sleepy to school-ready.
Prep the night before - Go through the kids school folders each evening and pull out any papers that can stay home and deal with any notices or permission slips that need to be returned. Lay out clothes, pre-pack lunches and set the backpacks by the door.
Build in a buffer - Having a few extra minutes built into the morning routine will help with any unexpected hiccups and get slow moving little ones out the door on time.
Encourage kids to take ownership - Give over responsibility for basic morning routines a little at a time in an age appropriate manner. Try letting kids do their own hair, make their own breakfast or put their shoes on to name a few.
Anchor Afternoons with a Reset Ritual - Afternoons can be chaotic between homework, sports commitments and shifting moods. Creating a short “reset ritual” right after school can help kids to transition and regroup for what’s next. This reset will help to prevent burnout while keeping the after-school hours more peaceful for all.
Give kids a brain break - Offer a snack and a few minutes of downtime before having them jump right into structured homework assignments or other after-school commitments.
Take a minute to connect - Ask kids about the best part of their day or how they are feeling. These few moments of connection shows a child that you care and are interested in what’s going on in their world.
Let them play - For younger kids, a simple play break before sitting down for focused work will help them to work out any pent up energy.
Create Consistent Evening Practices - Bedtime routines aren’t just for toddlers and little kids. In fact, kids of all ages (and even adults!) thrive when evenings follow a predictable rhythm and pattern. Creating a consistent evening routine and bedtime helps kids to recharge as well as set them up for a smoother tomorrow.
Bedtime matters - Even tweens and teens will benefit from a consistent, age appropriate bedtime. Getting the right amount of sleep is crucial for kids and allows them to function at their best each and every day.
Create a wind-down ritual - Early evening showers, reading time and quiet calm all send a signal to the body and mind that it’s time to rest.
Put away the electronics - To support healthy sleep, have kids disconnect at least an hour before bedtime and keep electronic devices out of their bedrooms.
Embrace Weekly Family Check-Ins - One of the best ways to stay on track all year is for families to engage in short weekly check-ins. This helps to avoid any surprises and everyone comes away prepared for the week ahead.
Review the calendar - Take note of any sports, after-school activities, school events and/or appointments and make sure everyone is aware of where they need to be each day.
Assign responsibilities - Determine who will handle drop-offs/pick-ups, packing lunches, setting the dinner table, etc. Many hands make little work.
Give kids a voice - Let kids share what they’re looking forward to or what might feel challenging for them this week. This opens up the lines of communication between parent and child.
Simplify Where You Can - The school year will always bring challenges and unexpected curveballs, the key to navigating these ups and downs is to stay flexible and to simplify wherever possible.
Be practical - Stick to routines that feel realistic for the family and do not overcomplicate things.
Good enough, not perfection - Focus on tackling chores and responsibilities with the mindset of being “good enough” rather than aiming for perfection with everything. Doing so removes a great deal of pressure from everyone in the family.
Small steps, big impact - Small daily habits, when done with consistency, add up to big changes in how everyone in the family moves through their day. Choose one small habit at a time to work on and then layer in new habits over time as everyone adjusts.
Getting the school year off to a good start is about creating a sense of steadiness that will help the family to move through each day with confidence and ease. Building simple routines into the daily hustle of life creates space for calm, connection and joy even in the midst of busy days. And that’s the real win, isn’t it? Instead of racing through the year on autopilot, setting a pace that lets everyone breathe, laugh and enjoy more. With just a bit of intentional planning, families can shape a school year that feels lighter, more manageable and full of moments that matter. Welcome back and here’s to a great year!
