With kids going back to school, it’s the perfect time to evaluate and improve your routine
Remember that time our kids got sent home from school at the beginning of COVID-19, and we thought it would just be, “a couple of weeks?”
Well, here we are a year and a half later, and finally – finally! – they are able to return full-time. 
Whether you have a kid heading to preschool or a senior in high school, when kids head back it is a natural time to contemplate (assess) what your new routine will be.
This year, instead of letting “life” (school, work, kids) dictate your routine, let’s have you in charge! Let’s be mindful about this transition and build more calm into your life going forward!
My back-to-school strategy
- I get the kids into bed a little earlier each night for a week or two leading up to the first day. I start with 10 minutes earlier one night, then 15, then 20, until we’ve reached the right bedtime. My 4-year old’s bedtime is 8pm and my kids who are 11-14 in age go to bed by 9pm. This way it’s not such a drastic change, and the kids are starting off rested versus having a summer hangover.
- I get myself out of bed a little earlier each morning for a week or two leading up to the first day. Us mamas can get summer hangovers, too! It’s important to set yourself up for being fully rested on the first day. You need to have your sh&# together for carpool and energy to hear about all the school things at the end of the day.
- Fill in your calendar. Include your new commutes to school (even if it’s just 10 minutes), all the back-to-school nights for the year, and any school obligations you may have signed up for. (Remember, you don’t have to say yes to everything!)
Calendar tips
Once you have what you’re responsible for regarding the kids’ schooling each day, it’s time to strategize your time with the rest of the hours.
- Take advantage of your momentum. For example, one of my kids is walking to school, two are taking the bus, and I’m dropping my youngest off myself. And after I drop him off, when my momentum is already moving, I build my daily exercise in and/or run any necessary errands without child(ren) in tow. If you have to commute during this time, think of something you can do for yourself that will start the day off right for you. When I used to commute to an office I would listen to audiobooks, catch up on phone calls and listen to my music with explicit lyrics that I didn’t want my kids to hear.
- Break down your day by the hours you have. What will you be working on, in what timeframes? Create buffers in between your meetings, work or events, down to even 5 or 10 minute intervals. Build in time to eat and to re-energize in your afternoon slump.
How do you want to show up for yourself in this new school year? Use this transition to create more calm in your life. Your destiny is your choice, so let’s make it happen together!
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