Regretfully the summer is coming to an end and our kids are heading back to school. In one sense it is a sigh of relief, yet it can also be a very stressful time. Here are a few back to school tips to set your family up for success as you begin a new school year.

Sleeping Patterns
Most kids stay up later in the summer which means they wake up later as well. Some would suggest making this change gradual over the week before returning to school. Other say making the jump all at once is best. You know your kids best, so you make the call. The point, make the call ahead of time and communicate with your kids ahead of time so they know it’s coming. Just remember, consistency is key.

One suggestion from Brittany Nims (HuffPost) is to begin adjusting when your family disengages from screen time before getting ready for bed. Studies show that the blue light from LED screens can slow down or disturb the production of melatonin, the hormone that tells our body when it’s time to turn in for the night.

Create A Morning Routine
We all probably know someone who has the ability to pop right out of bed with a smile on their face when the alarm goes off at 5:00 AM. Most of us are NOT that person. If fact, most of get annoyed by that person. Rather than be haters, let’s create some morning patterns that help us look forward to our day.

Remember, consistence is key. If your children are younger, perhaps creating a morning routine chart would be helpful. You can include things like getting dressed, fixing their bed, eating breakfast, and brushing their teeth. As our kids get older and more independent they will take more control of that routine but it’s important to help them not only establish it, but to also hold them accountable to it.

Choose Joy
We all know that kids are very impressionable. If you are flustered in the morning because of one reason or the other, your kids will be as well. Unfortunately, when it comes to negative behaviors, the old adage is usually accurate. What we do in moderation, our kids will do in excess.

I would suggest that you prepare the details for tomorrow, today. Before your kids go to bed, help them pick out what they will wear, what they want for breakfast, and what they want to have in their lunch. Have them pack their backpack and make sure that everything they need is accounted for. This way they are not running around all stressed about those details and can focus on making sure they take care of their hygiene and health.

Most importantly, choose joy. I’m not saying fake it until you make it. I mean truly choose to not let the stress or anxiety get the best of you and be joyful. Get up before they do and be ready to engage them. Smile. Tell your kids that you love them. Let them know that you believe in them. Encourage them to do their best and to be the best version of themselves. You might just be the highlight of their day.

I firmly believe that just as first impression are lasting impressions, our morning routine leaves a lasting impression on our day. Set your kids up for success by applying some of these back to school tips: establishing sleep patterns, building a morning routine, and choosing joy!