The summer will be over before we know it and the school year will be starting again. For many of us, this means having to get our children back into a focused routine, which if well organized, should begin to flow smoothly. If you’re like us, the thought of our kids going back to school is both exciting and daunting. Many of us take advantage of the summer holidays to give the kids a break from their rigid schedules and allow them to deviate from the usual constraints of school life. During July and August, our kids typically go to bed later, sleep in longer, and their circadian rhythms tend to get a little “off balance” for just a couple of months of the year. Trying to get them back to a 6:30 a.m. weekday wake-up time can be a challenge! So here are some tips that will help your family be better prepared for “la rentrée.”

Get into a routine now

We find the best approach is to start transitioning gradually. Don’t wait until the first day of school to reinstate normal bedtimes and alarm clocks. If your 13-year-old has been going to bed at 11 p.m. all summer, it’ll be impossible for them to all of a sudden get to sleep at 9, well rested for their first day back in class. Take a week or two to re-establish a healthy school-time routine so that their brain and body—and yours!—don't have any surprises when they're trying to adjust to the fall routine.

Get your children on a sleep schedule: Their brains need regular rest in order to focus on learning new material. You can set an alarm and make sure that they go to bed at roughly the same time each night, with some flexibility built in.

Create a regular exercise routine for them: Physical activity boosts memory function and mood, helps students learn more effectively, increases their confidence by reducing anxiety about schoolwork, and helps prevent mental health issues like stress or depression from developing later in life. It is often easier to put youngsters to bed when they do not have left over, pent-up energy. 

Eat healthy meals throughout the day: This will help keep their energy levels high so that studying doesn't become too overwhelming. Pack fresh fruits and vegetables in their schoolbags, and if possible, try preparing some healthy snacks such as granola bars from scratch instead of buying pre-packaged or processed foods.

Take inventory of reusable supplies

Before they head back to school, it's important that you take inventory of the reusable supplies you already have. Start with a checklist of required items and compare it against a list of supplies left over from last year. Go through the previous year’s materials to empty binders or Duo-Tangs and purge papers. You can often reuse storage containers, bags, boxes, and bins. As well, have your child try on clothes, shoes and boots to make sure everything fits. Go through toys, bikes, skis and whatever they have outgrown that can be sold at a garage sale or given to friends, other family members, or a local charity. If there is anything that needs to be replaced because they are outgrown or damaged, now is the time to take care of it! Make sure everything has been accounted for, from clothing and shoes all the way down to small items like pens and pencils.
It's also important to be aware of what your child will be using in class. If they're taking a writing course, make sure they have plenty of pens and pencils on hand. And if they're taking art classes that require paintbrushes or glue sticks, understand that these are tools required for their success. With the current supply-chain issues, inventory may be scarce so buy early and avoid the rush. Be aware of deadlines for buying certain things online, like books, to be sure you order them on time.

Time blocking and scheduling

Being organized will save you time and stress. The first thing you can do is create a shared calendar detailing all of their classes and regularly scheduled events. This way, you can see at a glance if there are any conflicts. Families with three or four kids all doing after-school sports and activities can easily become overwhelmed, especially when mom and dad are the designated drivers to and from these various commitments! 

Set goals

It is important to create realistic expectations for our children… and ourselves! By putting goals in writing, we help our children develop an understanding that consistent effort and action over time will lead to success. This can be a fun exercise that families can do together. There’s no better way to empower your children than to ask them for their input and ideas to help create a plan.
Set goals together for your entire family.Set goals for yourselves as parents and share these with your kids.Encourage the kids to come up with their own personal goals and guide them through the process.Consider different types of goals (academic, athletic, health & wellness, social, financial, leisure, and more.)

Preparation is the key to success

You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute, so it’s best to prepare for back-to-school season now. If you’ve got a big list of supplies to get through and some money saved up, the process will be much easier. Make sure everything fits comfortably inside whatever bag or backpack they use, while also ensuring that nothing gets lost along the way. Consider how they need to travel as well–whether they’ll be walking to school, riding their bike, or getting door-to-door service from mom and dad. Whichever way, a comfortable and functional schoolbag is a great asset for any student. 
At TEAM BROADY, we understand how your children’s educational needs and extracurricular activities can significantly impact your real estate decisions. If you or anyone you know could use some friendly advice or guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out today! We can be contacted at 514-613-2988 or by email at info@teambroady.ca.