Kids are more likely to buy in to bedtime if they helped choose it.
When we’re overwhelmed, we may overlook the simple things we can do to lighten the load. The start of the school year can definitely feel overwhelming with things to do and places to be.
Lisa Andersen shared how to take a step back and start small to start the year smart.
Setting Non-Grade-Related Goals
First, Lisa suggested helping the kids set non-grade-related goals. “I think it’s so easy to think, okay, you want your kids to get good grades and do well in school, but there’s so much more to that than learning. They can learn how to build their character and how to learn grit and do hard things,” Lisa explained. She emphasized the importance of setting action-oriented goals like studying for one hour a day or meeting one new person a day.
Setting Bedtime Backward
Another idea from Lisa is to set bedtime backward. “As my kids have gotten older, it’s so much harder to get them to go to bed,” she said. Lisa’s strategy involves asking the kids what time they need to get up, looking up how many hours of sleep they need for their age, and then doing the math to figure out bedtime.
“They’re more bought in because Google helped us parent in that moment. We weren’t the only bad guy on the bedtime block,” Lisa noted.
Establishing Routines with Kids’ Input
Lisa also recommends setting routines with the kids’ help. “You need buy-in from your kids. Instead of just saying, ‘Okay, now you’re gonna get up and do this,’ ask them what they want their mornings to look like,” she advised. This approach helps kids feel in control of their time and more responsible for themselves.
Moms Can Start Smart, Too!
Lisa also shared three ways for mom to start the school year smart:
- Establishing Blocks: “I believe in this with all my heart. It’s so important to take a little bit of control of our time,” Lisa said. She suggested breaking up the day into blocks of time for yourself, work, chores, and focused time with kids.
- Organizing Stuff: “We’ve got to know where to keep our stuff,” Lisa emphasized. She uses clipboards for each kid to keep track of papers and important items.
- Taking It a Week at a Time: Lisa recommended focusing on one routine at a time. “In your own mind, say, ‘Okay, this week, I’m just going to focus on the morning routine.’ Once we feel good about that, then focus on perfecting the afternoon,” she explained.
If there’s a busy, overwhelmed back-to-school mom feeling like they can just do one thing, Lisa’s top recommendation is to establish time blocks for yourself. “When you can bring calm to yourself as the mom, you’re able to show up for your kids better,” she said.
You can follow Lisa on Instagram at @justlisaandersen for more inspiration.
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