As the summer inevitably comes to a close and the beginning of a new school year commences, things can get pretty hectic. Whether you have one kid or multiple, the prospect of suddenly being responsible for waking them up, getting them ready, getting yourself ready, getting out the door, dealing with traffic, getting them to school, getting yourself to work, leaving work on time to pick them up, getting to the school to pick them up, only to get home and essentially do it all over again daily for the next several months is a stressful one.
Here are some helpful tips to make this school season easier on you and your family.
1. Organize and Prep
Have everything ready for the kids. Back-to-school shopping is already in full swing, but beyond just supplies, make sure that their rooms are tidy and organized so they can get ready as quickly and efficiently as possible in the mornings.
Simultaneously, do the same thing for yourself. An often overlooked aspect of preparedness is the parents. You are half of the equation, and the easier you make your own morning routine, the easier it will be to assist your children and deal with whatever curveballs are thrown your way.
2. Backup Grab-and-go Breakfast for You and the Kids
If time starts to slip away from you in the morning, prepping breakfast can become an absolute nightmare. Jones Dairy Farm swears by grab-and-go breakfasts. “You can definitely simplify mornings with fully cooked fix-ins for breakfast sandwiches, for example,” according to a spokesperson for Jones Dairy Farm. “These could be ideal for young kids, college students, or even busy adults on their way to work.” Jones Dairy Farm’s three Canadian bacon options come fully cooked, offering convenience without compromising on quality.
Beyond the convenience, Jones Dairy Farm is also a healthy option. “We don’t use any added fillers, binders, preservatives, NS, MSGs or nitrates in any of the products. They are also all gluten-free and free of the 9 major food allergens.” They offer over forty different products, including sausage, Canadian bacon, ham, and more.
3. Set a Preliminary Routine
With a few weeks left before school starts in earnest, go ahead and get yourself and your kids on a routine. Having them spend the next week or so waking up early and getting their body physically accustomed to the routine of the school schedule will make the actual process that much easier for everyone.
Your body responds to the schedules and temperament that you set for it, and the same is absolutely true for your kids. Sure, they may resent you at first for forcing them to wake up early, but they will absolutely come to appreciate it when their body is already primed for the routine on the first day of school. Rather than being lethargic and lifeless for the morning hours of that first school day, they can be energized and prepared because you’ve taken the extra measures to ensure their success.
Together, you and your children can work to hone and refine a system in which everyone succeeds and mornings become delightful rather than distressing, turning the chaotic back-to-school rush into a structured routine.
