It’s back to school time! Are you ready?
I know we have been enjoying the slow pace of summer and will need to put ourselves back on schedule to make back to school run more smoothly. 
Over the years we have developed routines that we rely on in our school and workweek. I want to share our three favourites with you as you think about how you want to start out this new school year as a family. 

How routines help our kids and us for school days

We can rely on routines to get stuff done.  It gives us the momentum and predictability and these habits set for us.
I know what’s going to happen, and the kids know what to expect.
There's less drama over making transitions or how the kids are spending their time.
If you have a kid who struggles with anxiety, knowing their part of the routine helps relieve a lot of that anxiety.

How to make routines more effective

Introduce this system to your family, and coach them by creating that as a habit, reminding them repeatedly.
Give our kids reminders that are gentle and not heavy, hard and serious.
Do not be a bear about it.

I shared some more about how routines help in the episode on family Saturday morning chores
 

Our routines in the morning

We make our lunches the night before school.
The kids pack their lunch with a template we gave them.
We give enough time in the morning knowing how much time everything needs to be done.
The kids dress themselves and pack their bags.
Start leaving 10 minutes before we think we have to go. This gives buffer, so you don’t feel rushed or panicky in case something unexpected comes up.

After school routine

Before the kids come home, I give myself a pep talk about what kind of mom I want to show up. As the mom, that is a safe landing place for big feelings and frustrations accumulated throughout the day.
For the kids, it’s to hang up their backpacks, put their papers on the counter, put their lunch dishes in the sink, wash their hands.
Give them a snack or have them finish their lunch if they didn’t.

Things to remember when you build routines

Routines take time to build like any habit, so you want to be gentle with you and gentle with the kids.
Keep showing up consistently for what feels important.
Start as you mean to go. Start treating them how you want to be treating them in the long term.

Want to bring in some routines to your week? Try the Family Rhythms worksheets 
 

SIMPLE PLEASURE OF THE WEEK
This month I went on a getaway with three of my mombesties. For some years now we try to get away for a couple of nights, or at least a nice dinner.
This time we went to a cheap motel, walked around, ate good food, had a little shopping and a little wine. My fave part was going to an afternoon movie the second day and then being in bed with us all reading by 930pm 

But really I think the pleasure is just being with your friends, especially without kids. It is so special to spend time with your friends (date your friends) and I think it helps you fall in love with them even more/again. 
 
 

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Today, I want to talk about routines. We are getting back into school. And it's got me thinking about the routines that we pick up when school starts, I know that summer feels like our mornings,