ABC You Later Summer

Quick shout out to all the supermoms and dads out there who got their kids out the front door and in the classroom before the late school bell rang.

School mornings are no joke in my house and I’m sure everyone out there has the same sentiment. Waking up early, making breakfast, insuring everyone EATS their breakfast (or at least a few bites), getting dressed, brushing teeth, brushing hair, shoes on (if you’re lucky they’re tied), back pack in hand and BOOM! School bus or car ready. Phew! It is no easy task.

From a mom perspective I sure wish I had some tricks and tips for an easy morning. But in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll be honest! I’m muddling my way through this with the rest of you. One thing that is tried and true in my home is…. Consistency is key! Develop a morning routine and stick with it. Everyone, whether they’d like to admit it or not, appreciates consistency. Let’s save the surprises for the occasional prince or princess “throw ups,” which visits once or twice a year. That’s it! That’s all anyone can handle.

The wisest have said, “The days are long but the years are short.” I believe them. I believe one day we’ll all look back and with perspective miss the craziness of our early, school day mornings. Until then, let’s stand together, look each morning square in the eyes, and own it. One cup of coffee at a time.

Praying for a safe and happy school year!

Krista

Rearranging the Sleeping Game for the Upcoming School Year

Sound the alarms! With our kiddos heading back to school in a few weeks, comes the dreaded early mornings.

This summer you might have been enjoying an alarm free summer, but all of that is going to change very shortly. Transitioning to a school year sleep schedule is your best bet to make the first few days of school as enjoyable as possible. To help make your mornings as pain free as possible we have come up with a few helpful hints. 

  • Make slight changes to their sleep schedule. Do not try to make a drastic change in one night. Slowly rearrange their sleeping schedule by thirty minutes a night, until you are at their ideal sleep schedule by the time the first day of school arrives.  
  • Limit late night electronic use- We know how much we all love using our electronic devices. But using these devices before bed actually disrupts our body’s natural transition to sleep. By limiting the use of these devices an hour or two before bedtime, this will allow your kiddos to get to bed earlier. 
  • Be wary of sleeping in- Although we are all enjoying the last few days of summer…be cautious! You’ll want to keep their time schedule as consistent as possible. 
  • Make sure all your kiddos are getting the recommended amount of sleep- The amount of sleep needed for each child varies by age. Children ages 3-5 should be sleeping 10 to 13 hours, children ages 6-12 should be sleeping 9 to 12 hours, and teens 13-18 should be sleeping between 8 to 10 hours. By getting the right amount of sleep your kiddos will be rested and ready to learn! 
  • Breakfast! Breakfast! Breakfast! There is a reason this is called the most important meal of the day. You want to make sure that this meal is a priority each school morning. Insuring a substantial meal each morning will supply your children with enough energy to start out the school year strong.  

We’re sure you and your fam have been enjoying many leisurely mornings. Alas, it’s time to change!  Making even slight changes in the upcoming weeks will make the world of a difference come the first day of school. 

 

As always, if you have any questions contact Cayer Behavioral Group at 850-320-6555 or email support@cayerbehavioral.com for more information.