This morning, we set the alarm for 8:10 am as a trial run for the kids' back to school routine. That's the time we have to leave the house to get to school, daycare and work on time. The summer had simply put us too far off schedule -- bed at 9 p.m. after a swim or baseball game, and waking too late for a bright start at summer camp and work. I'm sure we'll let the schedule slip again, but it was nice to begin the week right.
Pretty soon, it will be back to school for real. Already, we're thinking about fall after-school activities and planning routines and habits to keep us organized and sane from the get-go. For instance, we're looking at swim class afterschool instead of on Saturdays -- to keep our weekends more free for family fun. Before long, I'll have to get out the back to school shopping list and stock up our cupboards and bookshelves.
How are you getting ready for back to school? Are you looking forward to a return to the routine? Or closing your eyes in hopes that summer will never end? For more back to school ideas and tips, check out the All About Parenting Blog Carnival on back to school, hosted by Elizabeth Kennedy, the Guide to children's books.
Photo credit: Sharon Dominick/Getty Images
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