It’s the time of year that causes parents to rejoice and kids to feel sudden, sharp pains in their stomachs: back to school time.
And while, as a parent, it may be tempting to throw a party to celebrate sending your children back to school, there’s plenty of work for you to do as well. Shopping for clothes and supplies, preparing lunches, and getting ready for the inevitable crises that make up a child’s school day are all important, but don’t forget to help your kids get into a solid back to school bedtime routine.
The thought of spending every morning dragging your kids out of bed and getting them ready for school is probably not an appealing one. Chances are, you’ll feel a lot like this:
But if you help your kids get into a bedtime routine, early mornings can be much, much better. Studies have proven scientifically what parents already knew for decades: kids who have a good night’s sleep are much more likely to do well in school than their drowsy counterparts. Discount Drug Network has some back to school bedtime tips that can help your kids succeed!
Get rid of the technology!
When I was in high school, my mother used to drive me insane with her rule that my computer and cell phone had to be turned off by 10:00 PM. But you know what? Mom was right: when I ditched the technology, I found that I was able to fall asleep faster and sleep more restfully. When kids spend longer looking at the lights of a computer screen or phone, their bodies have a harder time settling down and falling to sleep. As much as they grumble about not being able to text their friends until two in the morning, your kids will (someday) realize that you were helping them out!
Keep bedtimes consistent
British researchers have found that getting a certain amount of sleep isn’t as important as having a regular bedtime. While you shouldn’t assume that your kids can go to bed at 2:00 AM every night and expect to be chipper the next day, a regular, consistent bedtime is very important.
Don’t revert to old bedtimes
Once you have the kids in a habit of going to bed at a certain time, don’t change it. If you enforce a 9:00 PM bedtime for the first couple weeks of school and then slip back into letting your kids stay up later, their sleep schedule will get all screwy. Also, keep a regular bedtime, even on the weekends.
Make sure they get breakfast!
Breakfast is an incredibly important meal. A good breakfast can make or break your child’s day, so ensure that breakfast becomes part of the routine. Even if your kids don’t like getting up earlier to eat, they’ll feel much better throughout the day.
