Preparing Our Kids (and us!) for Back to School

Back-to-School Routines: Easing the Transition for the Whole Family

Summer may be wrapping up, but for many families, the real challenge is just getting started—getting back into a school routine. Early mornings, packed lunches, homework... it’s a big shift from the laid-back summer vibe.

The good news? A smoother transition is possible with just a little planning ahead.

One of the biggest game-changers: start now. Don’t wait for the night before school starts to shift bedtime or start packing lunchboxes. Giving everyone (parents included!) some buffer time can make a huge difference.

Here are a few tips to help ease back into the groove:

• Adjust bedtime gradually: Start moving bedtime earlier by 15 minutes every night about two weeks before school starts. It’s much easier on their brains—and yours—than a sudden switch.

• Bring back meal routines: Summer is full of snacky, random eating. Start having meals at regular times again to help kids (and their internal clocks) get back on track.

• Normalize first-day nerves: Lots of kids feel anxious before school starts—totally normal. Talk about it and let them know they're not the only ones.

• Practice the routine: A quick run-through of the morning routine—getting dressed, eating breakfast, packing up—can help everyone feel more prepared (and less frantic) on day one.

• Add a little excitement: Ask your kids what they’re looking forward to this school year—making new friends, joining a club, getting a driver's permit—whatever helps them see school as more than just homework.

Getting back into the swing of things doesn’t have to be stressful. A little structure now means fewer meltdowns later.