Tips To Get Your Family Back into Routines
By: Katrina Lubiano
Summer holidays are coming to an end and kids are back in school. Here's some advice to help families get back on track.
Getting back into a routine from the holidays isn’t always the easiest, especially when you’re trying to get kids into their back-to-school mode as well w. Here are some helpful tips from the web for helping kids, parents, and nannies into early morning, hustle and grind routines-- hopefully without driving the household crazy.
Getting Up Early
Properly winding down is a key start to an early morning. This will help you and your kids destress from the day with some quiet time. Consistency is important in any routine. Getting your body ready for rest at least 30 minutes before bed will help you feel energised the next morning.
Drink water before bedtime to stay hydrated for the night, but make sure the kids use the toilet before bed.
Create spaces with purpose. Keep your bedroom clear of work related things. This will help you get in the mental head space needed for a good night’s rest.
Inspire your kids to fall in love with reading
Read a book in bed to your kids. This is great quality time and a sweet way to get some quality time in.
When you’re ready to wind down from your kids, read a book that inspires you to be your best.
Take a bath. It’s an overlooked, but really beneficial way to destress. Use epsom salts for sore muscles, or add lavender, german camomile, rose, or jasmine essential oils to the water for some aromatherapy.
Take in that sunshine to get you feeling more alert for the day!
Get sun as soon as possible. Let natural sunlight be apart of your morning routine. Open the curtains/blinds or better yet, eat your breakfast outside. Sunlight shuts of your melatonin production, making you more alert and primes your body to produce it again later that night.
Create Better Health Habits
We don’t need to tell you the extensive benefits of exercise and nutrition. Make it a family goal to create healthier habits than the year before, and make the goals fun and attainable.
Get kids involved in creating healthier health habits!
Ease into it. There’s no need to jump straight into fad diets, or begin an intense fitness regimen from the get go. Keep track of your family water intake, opt for fresh Queensland mangoes or in-season lychee after dinner instead of a processed sugary dessert.
Or a plate of colourful berries for dessert-- Nature's candy.
Don’t eat before bedtime. Eating before bedtime causes blood sugar spikes. This can keep you away because your body is focusing on digestion which makes it harder for you to enter deep sleep.
Begin your morning with exercise. At home yoga, or a jog will help you feel energised and confident to take on the day.
Kids can practice yoga and meditation too!
Take the dog out for a walk as a family. A walk after a meal will aid in circulation, thus helping with blood sugar spikes in digestion and is a great way to begin winding down for the day.
Visual Planners
Writing down to-do and goals for the week is beneficial for keeping the family on track and is an excellent motivator to cross tasks off the list. Display the family planner in the kitchen. This will help the household prepare for upcoming events, appointments, and tasks that need attending to.
Daily chores. Everyone in the household should pitch in on chores. Creating a visual chore board for kids will give them a sense of responsibility and pride in a well run household.
Communication. Open and clear communication will help everyone achieve their goals getting back into a good routine. This way, everyone will know where everyone is supposed to be and when. This will save time and reduce stressful situations for those busy weeks.
Download our free printable meal planners, and nanny-parent communication logs here to help your family stay on top of your routines.