Going back to school — and getting back on a schedule — can be stressful for everyone. With just a little planning, you can decrease that stress a bit and build kids’ resilience for whatever comes next.
There’s a lot in life that we can’t predict or control, so having daily routines helps kids feel safe while teaching them the incredibly important skill of time management. You know how there’s nothing more satisfying than crossing off items from your to-do list? Same goes for your kids. They get the same feeling of accomplishment from having a game plan and finishing the tasks laid out for them. And an after-school schedule might be the most important of all, since it’ll ensure that they finish schoolwork, have time for a relaxed family meal, and get to sleep at a decent hour.
Here are three easy tips to help you create and follow a balanced schedule:
Develop a plan together
Find time to talk about all the things your kids want to do — not just need to do — when they get home from school. Maybe they want to spend time with friends, or to watch a favorite show. While they can’t spend their entire evening doing those things, they can be put on the schedule, so they know that you are listening to them and placing value on what they want. And it gives them something to look forward to when days are hard.
Map it out
Plan out that five-hour period from when they get home from school until bedtime. Be sure to schedule in time for having dinner together, and then divide up the rest of the evening between homework, chores, and a little time to relax. Pro Tip: Want their minds to be sharp as possible for studying? Let them take a break first to recharge! Kids are often overstimulated and tired right after school. Having some downtime before homework and chores can reduce their stress.
Test it out
Write out the schedule and post it where all can see and be reminded. After a few days, do a check-in to see how it’s working for everyone. If you decide that it needs to be tweaked, then talk it out and do it together. Be open to changes for special events or holidays; even the most rigid schedules need flexibility now and then!
Knowing what to expect and when to expect it can keep your household running smoothly throughout the school year, even if life does throw you a curveball now and again. You and your kids will be more resilient in the face of stress, and that’s a life skill you can check off your parenting to-do list.
Extra Credit: If there is a girl in your life, you can further build her resilience with extracurricular activities through Girl Scouts! Girl Scouting helps girls from Kindergarten through high school to develop crucial life skills, including time management, by providing opportunities to practice setting goals, breaking them into smaller steps, and managing their time to achieve those goals. Through activities like earning badges, participating in troop meetings, and organizing events, girls learn to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and balance different commitments, all while building confidence in themselves and their abilities. Attend a free Discover Girl Scouts event near you to try some of these fun activities and learn more about joining! Visit gsccc.org/discover or call 1-800-77SCOUT and get Girl Scouting on your family’s schedule this year.
