 Getting ready for the school season is something that takes a little effort. That first day when the bus pulls up can be a real shocker if you're not ready. After a summer of staying up late, sleeping in, and having the freedom to to what you want when you want, wake up calls, late bells, and bedtimes too often cause stress and disharmony. However, we think you can prepare for that first day and perhaps avoid some of the stress. For the longest time we have tried set aside the last week of summer as our 'get ready for school' week. That means we take this last week to re-institute the routines that get us through the school year. Now before we lay out our three back to school helps, we want to share this disclaimer. These are simply general ideas and not specific detailed, step-by-step how to's. Like our post yesterday, Back to School Week 2015, these helps are shared to get you thinking and talking about the topics. We are not perfect parents, nor have we figured it all out. So you'll never hear a 'fool-proof plan of step by step' instructions from us unless we've actually master something. So instead, these are general ideas that you can use and shape to fit your family and context. If you ever want to know specifics in how we do something, please feel free to contact us and ask. Now back to our 3 helps back to school helps. 1. Back to Bedtime... Our kids, like many kids, love to stay up late. There's something about being able to stay up past the bedtime that just excites us when we are young. During the summer months we let our kids stay up beyond the normal school season bedtimes. But with the school year just days away, we have to get our kids back into their bedtime routines. But it's not just the bedtimes, it's the wake up calls as well. Getting our kids up and moving is just as important as getting them to bed at a reasonable time. The bed times and wake up hours are for you to set and maintain. We simply suggest that you have one and stick to it. 2. Routines are Good... Many experts say that having kids on a routine is good for the kid. For us, routines work, though we are not hard and fast on them. Basically our routines consist of getting the kids up, dressed, fed, teeth brushed, hair combed, and off to school. Nothing out of the norm, right. After school includes check in with mom (she likes to hear about their day), a snack, homework, playtime, and chores. Like I said, we're not hard and fast. There have been plenty of mornings we've had to drive one or more to school, but that's more the fault of the one who chose not to respond to what was happening around them. Routine for us is simply that familiarity with what needs to get done, instead of the chaos of the unknown. 3. No body's Perfect... This is one that I have to constantly remind myself of, no body is perfect. My personality is one that leads me to do what needs to be done. I can't remember ever being late for school. I got up every morning, showered, dressed, brushed, ate, packed my lunch and went out the door. Never did I need a parent to wake me up or get me going. But that was me. Raising our five kids has proven to me over and over again, just how different we all are. What I did as a kid is not the same as what my kids will do today. Their ways are not my ways, nor are their ways the wrong way. They're just different. No body is perfect. They will miss the bus, wake up grumpy, and forget their homework Each one of us is unique and special, and do things the way God has created us to do them. They're simple things, really; bedtimes, routines and the reminder that none of us is perfect. However, with a little bit of effort and practice, you might find that these things, simple as they are, are great tools to implement and remember. In the Higham house, we haven't mastered parenting. We are constantly learning, adjusting, and growing. But when we find something that does work, we try really hard to make it part of our family story. The school year will no doubt come with it's fair share of challenges. And while we will try our best to keep to our bedtimes and routines, I suspect that we will make our fair share of mistakes. So what things do you do to help you and your kids get ready for the school? We'd love to hear from you! Share your comments below and we'll respond! - the higham family  Hi we're Jay & Amy, and we've been married for 19 years and are super blessed to be busy raising our 5 kids; 4 boys and 1 girl. We juggle the adventures of life and ministry and share what we are learning as it relates to marriage, family, raising kids, serving in the church, and chasing after Jesus. Raising a family is hard work, especially in today's culture. But our hope is to encourage you and your family, as we live for the glory of God.
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