It seems like everyone has mixed feelings about the start of the school year. It’s a bittersweet transition—you can reclaim some of your free time without your children in tow, but the liberty of relaxed schedules, late nights outside, and endless soaking in the sun is hard to say goodbye to.

With Florida schools starting in just a couple weeks, here’s a few tips for both you and the family to get back into your school-year routines with ease!

 

Make It Exciting

Some of those most important tasks seem mundane to children: brushing their teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast. But if you can add some excitement into these morning routines, things will go a bit smoother. Try buying a new electric toothbrush with their favorite characters or playing music while you get ready!

 

Set The Alarm Clock NOW

You may have turned off the alarm clocks to those dreaded early mornings from the spring, but it’s time to turn them back on! Don’t wait until the first day of school – start a week or two ahead of time with normal sleep schedules including waking up early!

 

Create Check Lists

It’s easy to forget things that became so normal to use during the regular school year. Start making lists now of tasks that need to be done prior to the start of school, as well as things that are needed for school. Take the stress off your memory and start planning now!

 

Realistic Expectations

Let’s admit it. Getting back into routines for the school year is difficult – for everyone involved. And it’s OK to make mistakes along the way, run a little late and feel stressed. Just be sure that you’re setting realistic expectations for the entire family so you’re not over-extending yourself.