8 Tips for Getting Back Into the School Year Routine
8 Tips to Get Your Family
Back Into a Weekly Routine
By now, most of you with children have or are getting back into the weekly routine. You know, the one that seems to go completely to the wayside during Summer Vacation?
Many families struggle to get back into a reasonable routine for the School Year. And by the time they do, it's time for the holidays and Winter Break, and everything is thrown off again.
So in this week's blog post, I provide 8 tips to help you get back on track with a weekly family routine that's sure to help everyone.
Tip #1 - Morning Routine - Start the Day Right:
Mornings set the tone of the entire day. Organized and productive families typically have a consistent morning routine that gets everyone up and moving with minimal stress. Everyone knows what to expect and does what they need to do. This might include a scheduled wake-up time, breakfast together, and a checklist for everyone's responsibilities, like making beds, packing backpacks, and gettinhg dressed.
This might look different for each family depending on how many children are in the family, what time school starts, who needs to shower, and what time each person needs to leave the house. It should include a wake-up schedule that accommodates everyone's "start time" and allows for everyone to take a shower, eat breakfast, make their bed, and get dressed.
Having a routine ensures that everyone starts the day on the right foot, feeling prepared and energized.
Pro Tip:
Consider creating a visual chart for younger children to help them follow the morning routine independently.
Tip #2 - Meal Planning & Prep- Nourish with Ease:
A smooth running, organized family doesn't scramble for dinner ideas at 5 p.m., when everyone is tired and just getting home. Instead, the plan meals for the week, dod the grocery shopping in one trip, and often prepare ingredients in advance. This routine saves time, reduces stress during the week, and usually ensures that the family eats healthier.
This also gives everyone in the family, the opportunity to be involved in meal planning and/or meal prepping. Each member of the family could select a meal they'd like to have that week, and it can go onto the meal plan. This takes some of the stress off mom and day and gives everyone some voice and choice, so they always have at least 1-2 meals during the week, that they really enjoy. Bonus points for having that person who's meal you're having that night, help in the preparation too!
Pro Tip:
Use Sunday afternoons to prepare key ingredients like chopped vegetables or marinated proteins that can be used in various meals throughout the week.
Tip #3 - After-School Routine - Transition with Purpose
The after-school hours can be chaotic, but they don't have to be. Organized families have a routine that helps everyone transition smoothly from school to home life. Depending on whether the children come straight home from school or are picked up from an after school care when the parents get off work, the routine may look different for each family.
For families in which the children come home straight after school, the routine might include a snack time, a brief check-in about everyone's day, followed by homework time or quiet activities.
For families who all come home in the evening after the parents get off work, this may look different, because there isn't as much available time. But the routine should still include a brief check-in about everyone's day, including the parents. This may take place during dinner, when everyone can be together. It's important for parents to model this kind of healthy communication so that children normalize discussing their day and their feelings. Homework or quiet time could be set for before or after dinner.
You may also want to include time to clean out backpacks, review homework and pack lunches for the following day.
By having a predictable after-school routine, children know what to expect and can shift gears more easily. Human beings, in general, function better when the know what to expect.
Of course, these routines may need to shift if your children participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities, but there should still be a routine.
Pro Tip:
Create a dedicated homework area with all the necessary supplies to minimize distractions and keep things orderly. While each child has their own space in their own room or there is one larger area for everyone to work, having all the supplies available and space to work is necessary. This should also include removing any unnecessary distractions such as television, etc.
Tip #4 - Chore System - Shared Responsibility
In organized families, chores are not just for the parents. They are shared responsibilities that everyone contributes to. Whehter it's a rotating chore chart, a family cleaning day, or daily tasks assigned by age, having a system in place ensure that the household runs smoothly, the home remains tide, AND most importantly, teaches children valuable life skills. And I'm not just talking household chore skills, but the cooperation skills necessary to productively survive in the adult world. Everyone in the family is a member of the household and therefore, should have some level of responsibility to maintain the family home.
Pro Tip:
Consider using a reward system or chore chart, like stickers or rewards like extra screen time, to motivate younger children to complete their chores. In the beginning of setting up a chore system, having some additional motivation may be helpful.
Tip #5 - Evening Wind-Down - Unplug & Unwind:
In this day and age, this activity tends to get overlooked. With social media, t.v. YouTube, and everything else we can connect to, it's easy to get caught up. Research shows that overstimulated minds have a harder time falling asleep and don't tend to have as restful and restorative sleep as needed.
However, in an organized household, evenings are about winding down. This might involve a screen-free period before bed, time for reading or quiet play, and a consistent bedrime routine that helps everyone relax and prepare for a good night's sleep. Again, predictability in the vening routine helps children, especially, to feel secure and ready to rest.
Parents should also be included in these same winding-down expectations and should model the behavior they are seeking from their children, including having a screen-free time and/or time for ready or a quiet acitivity. Children feel more respected when they see their parents holding to the same expectations. Not to mention, adult brains need to wind down, as well.
Pro Tip:
Dim the lights and play calming music or soothing, nature sounds to signal the transition from the busy day to a peaceful evening.
Tip #6 - Family Meetings - Communicate & Connect:
Regular, weekly family meetings are a must for any organized family. These planned gatherings provide an opportunity for everyone to discuss schedules, give positive feedback, discuss any concerns, and make plans together. It's a chance to communicate openly, ensuring everyone feels heard and involved in family decisions.
Pro Tip:
Keep meetings short and focused, and make them fun by rotating who gets to lead the discussion.
For more information on Family Meetings, check out my previous blog post here.
Or for how to develop the 3 Questions as a structure for Family Meetings, check out another previous blog post here.
Tip #7 - Weekend Rituals - Rest & Recharge:
Most organized families often have weekend routines that balance productivity with relaxation. This might include a family outing, tackling a big project together, or simply having a slow, lazy morning. Whatever the routine, weekends are structured to ensrue that everyone gets some down time while also preparing for the week ahead.
Many families have children's sports or extra curricular activities on the weekend. That's to be expected. But there also needs to be room and planning for everyone to have some downtime, so be mindful of these things.
Pro Tip:
Establish a "Sunday Reset" routine where everyone in the family ptiches in to tidy up the house, do laundry, and get prepared for the coming week. In fact, I highly recommend that families use Sunday as the planned day for their Family Meeting, perhaps prior to the winding down time.
Tip #8 - Emergency Protocols - Ready for Anything:
Lastly, organized families are prepared for the unexpected. They have emergency routines in place, whether it's a fire drill plan, a "go bag", or a list of important contacts that is easily accessible. Being prepared helps reduce panic in a crisis and, again, ensures that everyone knows that to do if and/or when things go sideways.
Every member of the family should have their emergency contacts in their cell phones, in addition to having them easily accessible in the home.
Pro Tip:
Regularly review and practice the emergency plans with your family to keep everyone confident and informed. It's also important to review the plans, in case there are any adjustments that need to be made. This might be especially useful if there is a family member who, for example, is injured and using crutches to get around. The plan may need to look a little differently during that period of time.
Wrap Up
An organized family isn't about strict schedules or perfection - it's about communication and creating a framework that supports a balanced, harmonious life. As you can see, these 8 tips aren't one-size-fits-all, but can and should be adapted to fit the unique needs of each family.
By implementing these routines, you create a home environment that foster connection and communication, reduces stress, and helps everyone thrive.
If you'd like more direct and personal help with your marriage or family relationships, please visit my website and schedule a free 15 minute consultation - www.brittaniedmillslmft.com.
I provide online couples & individual counseling throughout Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, & Callifornia
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