Heading “back to school” used to hold a much different meaning in our house- Mom AND Dad returning to work. But this year, we’re navigating around me not returning to teaching for the first time and all three kiddos going to school! To say I’m excited would be an understatement. Three kiddos out the door by 8:00am though- oof, we’re definitely going to need some new routines around here!
Establishing A Morning Routine
This week we started prepping the kids for what’s to come next week. Getting them back in the habit of getting to bed on time (we’re a 7:30-8:00 bedtime family), waking up and doing all things self-care related, and lastly, GETTING DRESSED. This summer was a laid back kind of summer, especially after welcoming the baby- often finding ourselves still in our pajamas at noon. So working our way back into these things this week was very much needed for everyone.
Eating breakfast right away and cutting back on the electronics first thing in the A.M. are two other things we’ve had to get used to this week. Are the kids happy about it? NOPE. Am I happy about it? Also, NOPE. Gone are the days of continuing to lay in bed while they snack on God knows what while watching the world on YouTube (*cue tears*).
Establishing a Nighttime Routine
Our kids are decent sleepers and by 7:30/8 they are ready for bed. We’ve always managed a consistent bedtime routine around here- washing up, brushing teeth, pajamas, and reading books before bed. This is something we start when they are only months old.
Something we recently incorporated into our nighttime routine has been team cleaning. After leaving teaching and starting to work from home, I would find myself spending hours every morning tidying up the house. I’d barely get work done because I’d become so distracted by the scattered messes all around the house. So we started team cleaning the house after dinnertime. It consists of allowing the “best cleaner” in the moment to choose the music, the kids help with chores that aren’t just their toys (wiping down the table/chairs, vacuuming, mopping, washing windows, etc. these are somehow much more fun to them and keep them engaged), while Phil and I also get done the small, basic tasks around the house that need it- laundry, dishes, garbage, clearing off the counters, etc. This has helped cut back my sensory overload tremendously!
A few things I am wanting to also start including at night is packing everyone’s lunches, prepping backpacks, as well as laying out clothes for the next day. With our kids being able to dress themselves, I feel like this is a no brainer. In order to get everyone out by 8am, I’m surely going to need as much prepped and ready the night before.
Staying Organized Throughout The Year
I recently bought materials to create our own weekly calendar to replace our monthly calendar in the hallway! (I will definitely being share more on this!) Phil and I regularly use Google Calendar to keep our months in order and it works amazingly for us. However, the day to day tasks are starting to feel like a lot with no central place to organize them. The kid’s after school activities, Phil’s sports, dinner prep each night, laundry, our individual plans/to-do lists, and most importantly, my work schedule. Up until now, my from home work schedule has remained very flexible and ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ sort of vibe- usually with me texting Phil at some point during the day asking to get uninterrupted work done when he came home. With a weekly calendar, this is now something we can easily work into the week after it’s all laid out. That way everyone knows when to expect my uninterrupted work periods.
Wish Me Luck: Sprinkle Some Fairy Dust or Whatever
Am I stressing about getting three kids and a constantly hungry newborn out the door each morning? Better believe it. Will I be an overstimulated, angry wench at times? Highly likely. But, we will get through it. Everyone will adjust to this new set of routines and all will be well in the household again. But veteran Mom’s, who have been doing school for years now, please tell me what I’m missing! What did you change up or do that was a game changer? I need to know and need to know STAT.
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