Many families have began to get back on track with school routines. For some this may mean earlier bedtimes, evening made lunches, and always rushing out the door. Some simple tips to make school routines a little more simple are found below.
Morning
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day especially for students. Cold cereal may be ok, but quick, healthy and hot breakfasts are ideal. Some simple ideas to make breakfast better without becoming too time consuming are: Oatmeal, kids may turn away from oatmeal because it may seem boring or they just don’t like the taste. A quick addition of a finely chopped apple with cinnamon or dried cranberries added to the last few minutes of cooking will really make a difference. Eggs boiled the night before can be a great start to a morning breakfast. Pop some bread in the toaster oven with a few slices of cheese and ham. When the cheese is melted, remove from the toaster oven and chop a boiled egg on top. This may be a twist on the traditional egg breakfast sandwich, but it is a lot quicker and uses less dishes. Lunches made in the evening and tossed in the fridge overnight will make for a speedy exit for teens and kids who feel rushed in the morning. Also, getting your child to pick out clothes the night before may save some parents from an early morning battle.
Afternoon
Keeping a fridge full of pre made, ready to eat healthy snacks will keep kids happy and healthy when they get home from a day at school. Ham and cheese wraps, chopped veggies, a fruit and cheese plate are simple and easy if stored in the fridge. Establishing a routine of emptying backpacks and lunch bags right after school should help alleviate some morning annoyances.
Evening
A proven fact is children thrive on regular routines. Whether it be a family dinner, evening cartoons, a walk, a bath before bed or a combination of all of the above, spending time as a family and establishing a before bed routine will help parents and children ease back into school schedules.
If you have any tips or ideas that your family uses to make back to school routines a little more simple, let us know. Email blackrocknews@thefreepress.ca and some of your tips may appear in upcoming issues.