Back to School Tips for a Smooth Transition

Kindergarten is a HUGE transition. More rules, early mornings, more work, etc. It’s a lot on our little ones, and us, let’s be real. Finding your groove and getting your kids into a consistent weekly routine can be difficult.

As a working mom, I try to ensure our mornings go as as smoothly as possible. Getting myself up, out of bed and ready is a challenge all in itself. Now adding in school lunches, a new drop-off schedule, etc. into the mix is definitely an adjustment for the whole family.

Here are some easy tips to help you and your kids with the transition process back to school:

1. Go to bed early. This may sound like a given, but it is really easier said than done. Ari’s been getting in bed at 7:45/8 p.m. on weekdays and I go to bed at 9 p.m. I’ve learned so many times that it’s just not worth it to watch one more episode. If I wake up tired, it’s so much harder for me to get everyone else up and going.
2. Pack lunch the night before. I pack my lunch, as well as Ari’s lunch for school every day. I always have everything packed up and placed in the fridge before bed so I can just grab and go.
3. Pull out your clothes ahead of time. I keep a rolling rack in my room and sometimes I’ll pull out a few outfits for the next couple of days so I don’t have to think about it in the morning. The last thing I want to do is stress out over what I am going to wear when I am already running late. Now, I am doing the same thing for Ari. I pull out all her clothes so when she wakes up in the morning, she doesn’t tear apart her drawers looking for an outfit.
4. Assign time to do homework. I set Ari up on the counter as I cook dinner so I can help her with her homework. It allows me to easily provide instructions and help her focus so she can get her work done. I find it best to knock it out at the beginning of the week. I also have the kids’ extra curricular activities on Thursdays and Fridays so those days tend to be more relaxed.
5. Eat breakfast on the go. We do this almost every day. Find quick breakfasts that your kids like so they can eat on the road, or at school (if you drop off early, like I do) to avoid the stress of making something in the morning. There’s so many healthy options, a few of Ari’s favorites are– yogurt, granola bars, muffins, protein shakes or waffles. This seriously is a life saver and saves us so much time.

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