Well-established routines are like a well-oiled engine. When they are in full working order, everything runs smoothly. When there is even one component out of whack, the entire operation feels the effects.

As your family transitions from summer to back-to-school time, we invite you to establish routine by answering the four questions below.

Once you have answers to these questions (and others that you deem important to your family), you’ll be well on your way to a solid routine:

What goes to school everyday?

This is important if you’d like your child to take responsibility over their things. Instead of reminding your child of every single item they may have forgotten to pack, you can ask a simple, gentle question, “What do you take to school?”

Where do lunch boxes and backpacks go when you get home from school?

In the rush of getting home after a long day, it’s tempting to throw things helter-skelter once you enter the home. But by having a rack or cupboard for school things, your child will know where to go looking for them to prepare for the next day.

Who does what to get ready for dinner?

Hungry children are not always happy children. By establishing a “who does what” routine, your child can actively assist in getting dinner ready. This will ease the tension of those moments of hunger and help your child become more independent.

What do we do before bed to get ready for the next day? A good morning routine just might begin the night before. Decide as a family what gets done before bed time, then do it every single night. For example, let your child decide what they’d like to wear the next day, pack nap supplies and lay shoes out!

Answering the questions above, or ones like them, will help you decide what your routine is before moments of confusion or confrontation.

A little preparation goes a long way! Good luck in establishing your school time routine.

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