Things never go according to schedule during the summer… and that’s OK! That’s kind of the point of summer break. During the sunny season, mommas don’t need to sweat acting spontaneously with their kiddos. However, as fall draws near, we all have to think about that dreaded word: “routine.”
Things never go according to schedule during the summer… and that’s OK! That’s kind of the point of summer break. During the sunny season, mommas don’t need to sweat acting spontaneously with their kiddos. However, as fall draws near, we all have to think about that dreaded word: “routine.”
While it may seem daunting to get back in the swing of a school schedule, there are a few sneaky strategies you could use to transition away from your helter-skelter summer. If you put these post-summer routine tips in place early enough, you’ll be well on your way to a fantastic fall routine.
Tips To Get Back Into a Routine This Autumn
Shake Off Your Summer Snooze — Focus On Your Sleep Schedule
You don’t need me to tell you how important sleep is for overall health. If your circadian rhythm is off, you won’t have much rhythm in your daily life!
For those who’ve been slacking on their summer sleep schedule, you may want to “retrain” your body for the fall. One hack is to gradually work your way up to your desired wake-up time. If you need to get up at 6 a.m. every day, start with an alarm at around 8 a.m. and set it back by 10 to 15 minutes every other day. This will help that morning alarm feel less like a cold water shock on the first day of school.
Of course, it’s also important to find routines that help you fall asleep. A few nighttime routines that seem to work well include a soothing warm bath, a mug of chamomile tea, or reading with the kiddos. FYI: You could read more about the importance of bonding rituals before bed in this previous blog post.
Whatever you do, please put away all of those electronic screens at least one hour before bed. This simple tip will increase the odds you’ll fall asleep like a baby.
Use Meal Prep To Your Advantage
With all the demands of school, work, and extracurricular activities, when’s a momma got time to cook? Well, the truth is, many mommas struggle to find enough time to cook fresh meals for their family. Hence the allure of fast food!
While a few nights out can be a nice change of pace, nothing can compare to a home-cooked meal. That’s why I’d recommend prepping easy meals for those busy fall months.
The best part is, you don’t have to slave in the kitchen every day to put a satisfying meal on the table. You could easily toss a few ingredients into your crockpot, let it cook for hours, and serve at dinner time. Also, consider cooking sauces, soups, or entrées on a free day and popping them in the freezer.
Planning your meals ahead of time should take a ton of stress off your shoulders.
Celebrate Scholasticism — Experiment With A Learning Hour
Let’s be real: “Reading time” can be a hot mess during the hot months. We all want our kiddos to be smart…but we also want to cut them some slack before the school year. As school creeps closer, mommas have to get serious about setting definite learning goals.
Even if your kiddo completed their summer reading, I suggest introducing a learning hour to your daily schedule. During this time, focus on educational topics that most spark your little one’s curiosity. If you’ve got a science wiz at home, read a few books on animals, spaceships, or computers. As your kiddo gets more interested, sprinkle these sessions with in-person events like trips to the library, zoo, or museum.
The whole point of this routine is to get your little one’s brain excited to learn. After a few weeks of these learning hours, I bet your child will be bursting with excitement the second they step into school.
Loosen Your Routine With Plenty Of Stretches
When people think of an exercise routine, they often envision sweaty stamina sessions or weight-lifting. While these exercises will certainly bump up your heart rate, they’re not so realistic for many mommas—especially following a relaxing summer break.
To ease yourself into a workout routine, I strongly recommend adding more stretches to your daily life. Not only is stretching easier to squeeze into your daily routine, it’s the foundation for fantastic fitness. In addition to increasing flexibility, regular stretching should also increase your endurance, decrease stress, and improve your body’s blood flow.
Take some time to learn beginner-friendly stretches and try them out whenever you can. If you have extra time, be sure to watch a yoga or Tai Chi class and incorporate a few moves into your daily life. Even if you can’t touch your toes, stretching will keep your body in tip-top shape!
Don’t Forget About the “Gratitude Groove!”
As you’re getting ready for your autumn routines, please don’t forget to schedule in a few moments for gratitude. As I’ve written in previous blogs, expressing gratitude every day can keep you calm and centered—which is something we all could use a little more of nowadays! Even if you’ve only got 15 minutes to spare, it’s well worth the time to consciously bring your mind into a grateful state.
Not sure how to start a gratefulness routine? Don’t worry! I’ve got all the details on expressing gratitude in this previous post.
