September is here. This means a shift from our summer routines into a back-to-school routine. This is the perfect time to reorganize your family and establish some good routines in your home. Routines are important because they help your child predict what will happen next, which encourages cooperation and good behavior. Isn’t that something all parents strive for?!

Getting back into a new routine can sometimes be tough on everyone, especially when you’ve been used to a more relaxed summer schedule.

Here’s some tips to make it easier:

• Get things ready the night before: This helps to avoid rush in the morning. Make lunches, lay out clothes for the next day, sign permission forms, and have the back pack ready to go by the front door.
• Get a good night’s sleep: Being well rested will help your child enjoy school. Students who are well rested are also more alert in the classroom and get better grades. Getting your child to bed a few minutes earlier every night will gradually help your child get to sleep earlier.
• Talk about your morning routine ahead of time to help you get out the door on time:. If your child has trouble following the routine, develop an activity schedule with your child. It can be a chart with pictures or words for each step. When they forget what to do next, remind them to look at their list. Avoid distractions like TV or computer.
• Set up a time for doing homework, but remember to listen to what your child needs. Some children need time to relax after school, while others prefer to get started right away. Set aside a spot in your home for homework. Make sure the space has enough light and your child will not be easily distracted. If your child does not have homework, set aside time for reading every night.
• Make time for family: Don’t forget to make time for your family. Whether it is taking a walk around the neighborhood or spending some quiet time talking together about each others’ day. Every family needs time to connect with one another.

I know this may sound like a lot when some days you’re barely holding yourself together, but try what you can. Following routines will actually help reduce the amount of chaos in your home, and will leave you with more time to spend with your family.

We’ve also got more links to resources on haltonparents.ca that might help you and your child transition back to school, start kindergarten, start at a new school or even start high school.

For more tips and hints about school and anything else related to parenting, there are many ways you can talk to one of us directly:

• Leave us a comment below
• Tweet with us @haltonparents
• Follow us on Facebook
• Email us at haltonparents@halton.ca

For parenting information or to speak with a public health nurse (every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) simply dial 311 or 905-825-6000.

About this guest blogger:

Lilly Sulug, RN: I’m Lilly and I have over 18 years of nursing experience. I’m currently Public Health Nurse working with Halton children and families for over 10 years. My area of focus is on the preschool age with a keen focus on parenting. I have great experience in counselling families, delivering seminars and facilitating group series in parenting. Other work experiences include childhood asthma, school-age health and community development. Personally, I enjoy parenting with my two young children ages 2 and 5.