Let’s savor these last few weeks of summer and worry about back-to-school routines when school actually arrives! It all works out, I promise!
Have you clicked any of the trending articles promising a fool-proof back-to-school routine for your kiddos?
Are you feeling a bit anxious about all the late nights and lazy mornings over the past few months?
Whenever I flip the calendar to August and see the notes I scrawled last spring — open house, parent’s night, meet the teacher day, etc. — all I want to do is savor the last few weeks of summer.
I truly don’t even want to think about our school routine (and you all know I love a good routine!)
Can you relate?
This past spring and summer were very out-of-the-ordinary (that’s putting it lightly!) and I don’t think anyone really knows what will happen this fall.
I’m trying to be optimistic and assume the kids will actually go back to school…
If you’re in the “glass half full” camp with me, I’ve got some refreshing news to share with that nagging voice in the rule-following part of your brain telling you to dust off your back-to-school routine.
In my extensive experience with routines, it’s often easier, faster, and more intuitive to simply “fall” into a new routine once a new schedule officially starts, versus trying to force a new routine before it’s actually necessary.
EXAMPLE #1 – Bedtimes:
Once school starts, your children will naturally feel tired earlier in the evening simply because they woke up earlier in the morning.
Of course, I can’t promise bedtime will magically be stress-free, but it will most likely be easier to get them in bed earlier once school starts, versus trying to force an earlier bedtime the last couple weeks of summer when they are full of energy.
Yes, they might feel more tired during the first week of school — but teachers know this and plan for this. Their bodies will adjust within that first week and they’ll be sleeping like normal again soon.
EXAMPLE #2 – Lunches:
Got slow eaters? Yup, me too!
I often worry they won’t get enough to eat in the short school lunch period. However, after a few days back at school, they quickly learn that in order to finish their lunches before the bell rings, they need to eat faster.
EXAMPLE #3 – Daily Reading / Homework:
So your kiddos didn’t read all that much over the summer… and the stack of optional summer worksheets is still in their backpack from last spring.
I promise, you’re not a bad parent… and your kids won’t forget everything they learned.
Don’t try to cram extra school work into these last few days of summer. Once they get back into the school routine, they will recall what they learned — kind of like riding a bike (that’s what I tell myself anyway.)
Let them play and be outside and enjoy their favorite summery things while you’re home.
I realize (as always) my approach will not work for every person or every family.
However, I feel that much of the stress around the school season could be eliminated if we all just took a deep breath and vowed to enjoy these last few days of summer without worrying about having a perfect back-to-school routine in place before school even starts.
I promise you’ll feel so much better about yourself if you just let them play!
Helpful Back-to-School Resources:
- 4 tips to simplify the back-to-school season
- How to do hot breakfasts on school mornings
- Simplify your school routine with “fun lunches”
- Our school snack simplifier (this tip is pure gold!)
- 5 Ways we simplify school snacks and lunches
- Simple tips to pack low-waste lunches
- My TOP tip to simplify the school year
NOTE: We use the PlanetBox lunch boxes (non sponsored). They’re an investment, but so amazing for our kids’ lunches. We use them (and wash them in the dishwasher) daily during the school year. After 4 years, I have nothing negative to say!
My 3-step back-to-school routine:
#1: Enjoy your last few days and weeks of summer vacation.
#2: Send your children off to school, potentially a little tired on the first day.
#3: Watch in wonder as their body and their routine naturally regulates once the school year begins.
What? No Routines?
Well… not exactly!
I’m still a huge advocate for planning ahead whenever possible and I’m confident routines help our home and our life run more smoothly.
Any amount of research also confirms the benefits of routines, but when it comes to preparing and implementing a new routine, there is only so much planning you can do, especially with kids.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the last few days of summer!
You and your children will eventually get back into a school routine — probably faster than you think.
Heather says
As a 40+ year teacher, I totally agree with you. HAVE FUN with your kids these last few weeks. They will pick right back up in a few days.
JJ says
Such great advice! Things are often complicated in the name of tradition and/or unadjusted standards. Since being off social media, I’ve noticed that I don’t feel pressured(self-imposed from comparing) to do things because that’s what everyone else is doing. Like you, I try to do what’s best for my family and readjust as needs arise or if things aren’t working well for us. Life is so much simpler this way!!! When others are critical, I simply say, “This works for our family!” and that stops that mess.
Andrea says
Yes exactly! I love traditions but ONLY if they serve my current stage of life. There’s no sense doing something “just because” if it’s not something you enjoy or something that works for you, your family, your life, etc.
I’ve also noticed a positive change since being on social media less over the past 2 months.
Tiffany S says
“I promise you’ll feel so much better about yourself if you just let them play!”
I love this!! Children need to play!
Andrea says
yes, yes, Let them play! 🙂
LoriB says
So many yeses! We can’t and shouldn’t try to control everything. I think routines are a helpful tool but often we grow into routines that work for us rather than starting with a perfect one.
I’ve sure missed you but am so proud of you (as if you were my own daughter) for choosing your family first. I hope it’s been a wonderful summer.
Andrea says
oh yes — I’m a firm believer of “growing into routines”. That’s how it has always been for me — and they are always evolving as our children get older and our needs change.
Thanks for your kind words, Lori!
Michelle Bonk says
I do agree with this … mostly!
I imagine that while your schedule is somewhat more relaxed during the summer Andrea I doubt you’ve given up all routine.
Some people do though – and I think they’re the ones that run into trouble readjusting to back to school!
Andrea says
yes, you are probably correct!
Michelle Bonk says
We took our four kids to Disney the last week of August last year (it was the only week they didn’t work at camp) and they came home and started school the next day!!
Andrea says
wow — sounds fun (slightly tiring, but fun!)
Natalia says
You said it exactly how I feel about it! Awesome!
Honestly, I did stress for while about my 4yo’s naps – she grew out of naps, but I’ve heard they might have some sort of downtime around noon IF the preschool’s schedule changes from 3.5 hrs to 5. Initially, I had the terrifying idea that I need to keep her on the same schedule through the summer and it didn’t work! Then I dropped that off and went with the flow. Much happier family! Who knows, maybe the preschool will still be on a short schedule and I would have tortured ourselves for no reason at all.
And, even on a long schedule – she might do better conforming with the other kids, in a classroom (when she’s tired), rather than with mom, at home, trying to keep a ridiculous schedule that doesn’t fit our summer days.
I felt relieved and reassured, reading your post today. Thank you!
Andrea says
oh good — glad to relieve and reassure you 🙂
Avia says
I love this so much! I read an article someplace early in the summer with the opinion that kids need a stress-free, playful summer much more than they need to “keep up” on reading etc. I immediately agreed and decided I was not going to worry at all about meeting those types of expectations during the summer. I also immediately resonated with your routine philosophy and will not give back to school retinues another thought until after school starts!
Andrea says
yes, everywhere we turn, we are reading more and more about the importance of PLAY for kids — not so much structure. I love structure and routine, but not for little kids ALL day long!
JJ says
Love this! Kids follow our lead. If we are stressed, it stresses them. I will definitely take your advice and enjoy this time!!! Your perspective is always so refreshing and encouraging!!! You are like the Modern Day Dear Abby!!!
Andrea says
haha — more like Dear Andrea 🙂
JJ says
Yes!!!
Siobhan says
Thank you Andrea 🙂 I needed to read this. I’m a mom of 3, a teacher, and I currently have a long commute to work. I have been feeling tense when I think of getting everyone back into the routine, especially since I’m far away from home during the school year.
You are right, we always get into the routine when we have to, and enjoying each day of summer (while doing some necessary prep work here and there) until it ends is great advice!
Andrea says
you’re welcome! Enjoy your last few days/weeks of summer and then enjoy school once it starts up again!
April says
Agree 100 percent! Enjoy summer to the very last second!
Andrea says
yes, yes!
Meghan says
Amen! I fully agree! Plus we are going to DIsney the week before school starts! My rationale was lower crowd levels because our school starts later than most. However this week I started to wonder if this was a good idea . The kids will have 3 days to recover!
Alicia says
I think you’re doing a great thing for your kids! My parents always took us on last minute vacations right before school started ! My dad was one to soak it all up until the very last minute, do that’s exactly what we did! You’re right about the crowds being much lighter ( we start school here late too – after labor day). We would often get home the DAY before school started. Was this more stressful as we got into high school? Yes! But looking back , I appreciate what my parents were trying to do – make awesome family memories as often and for as long as possible. It was definitely worth it! The only reason we don’t do this with our own family now is because we are about to have 5 children, and traveling in general gets a little more challenging!
Andrea says
I love this idea. My mom was a teacher, so she always had meetings leading up to the first week of school (just like Dave). Plus, our area has a big county fair the week before school and that’s SO much fun for the kids — so I don’t think any last minute vacations are in our family’s future!
Andrea says
oh wow — have fun at Disney!