I am not sure about everyone
else but I am counting down the
days to when school starts. I am
ready for those hours in the day
with less distractions. So how do
you prepare for the school year?
I prepare by starting to get them
ready for the school year bed-
time in the first week or two of
August. That way they are not
shocked by the time change
when school starts. I do not know
about you but my kids love to say
“But Mom”. This gives them time
to get use to the new schedule.
Kids need sleep for their brain
to be able to absorb all that they
learn in one day.
I have some tips that will help
your kids have a better day at
school and make it way easier on
you. First, have them get what
they need for school the next
day ready the night before. This
includes clothes, shoes, back-
pack, lunchbox and anything
else they need for the next day.
Second, have a set routine before
they go to bed. For example, take
a shower, brush teeth, get stuff
ready for the next day, story or
reading time before bed, and of
course the dreaded bedtime for
them. I do not dread that time. I
celebrate it. Last, get the school
lunches ready the night before or
even the beginning of the week.
This will make the school morn-
ings run smoother.
On the subject of school lunch-
es, I have some additional tips
to make getting lunches ready
ahead of time. Make variety of
sandwiches that can be stored in
the freezer so that they will not
go bad during the week. Have
a variety of side choices with
healthy options that the kids can
choose what they want that day.
Have all the sides, drinks and
sandwich options in a main area
so that your kids can help you
get them ready in the morning.
It may also help that they decide
what they are having that day.
The last tip about lunches is have
all the lunch materials meaning
boxes, zip lock bags and more in
a centrally located cupboard that
is reachable by your children.
We have gone over what happens
the night before, let’s go over the
morning routine. Have a set time
for your kids to get up and start
their day. First, have your kids
get dressed, brush teeth, brush
hair and eat breakfast if they do
so at home. Have them get their
lunch ready and by the door.
Second, I suggest making a cen-
tral location for all the shoes,
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