RIGHT ON SCHEDULE
Ease the transition from summer fun to September’s back-to- busy with these tips.
Five tips that will help you ease back into your September routine
FOR MANY OF US, the day after Labour Day is the true beginning of the year. September is not just about going back to school; it’s about getting back into a routine, even when there are no kids in the house. Like any transition, it can be tricky—but it’s not impossible. We spoke to some pros for their tips on getting a smart start on the season.
1 Master the family calendar
School, work, homework, soccer practice, dog walking, orthodontist appointments and shopping for birthday presents—don’t panic! The solution, says Clare Kumar, owner and founder of Streamlife, an organization services company in Toronto, is as simple as a great calendar—well, two calendars. “Using an online system like Google Calendar is great because it’s always available,” says Kumar, a mom of two. “But there’s also huge value in having something on paper in a ‘command centre’ such as the kitchen.” Every family member should note their lessons, meetings and appointments on a monthly calendar. Don’t forget to incorporate key dates from the school calendar— PA days, photo day, parent-teacher interviews and so on.
2 Tweak your sleep routine
After weeks of late nights and, for some, sleep-in mornings, it can be tough to get the recommended hours of shut-eye. So don’t try to do it all at once, says Alanna Mcginn, sleep consultant and founder of Good Night Sleep Site, a sleep consultancy that helps families overcome sleep problems. “A couple of weeks before the first day of school, start bumping up bedtimes,” she says. Start gradually so it’s less noticeable, say, 10 to 15 minutes earlier each night. (This technique works for adults, too!) And don’t underestimate the power of sleepinducing bedtime routines. “You want to bring down the stimulation, so lower the lights and use calm voices,” says Mcginn. Turn off all electronics (TV included) an hour before bedtime, she adds. Studies have shown that even small devices emit sufficient light to promote wakefulness. You can avoid screen battles by introducing a communal docking station located away from sleeping areas. “It becomes part of the routine—the whole family charges their devices overnight.”
3 Manage the menu
Fuel your busy fall with planned healthful eating. Ask for everyone’s input on their favourite breakfasts, lunches and dinners, then outline a week’s worth of meals. Post the menu on your fridge and compile your shopping list. Feeling inspired? Prep vegetables for weekday lunches or cook in batches on weekends. This saves time, hassle and even money during the week, says Leslie Beck, registered dietitian and author of Leslie Beck’s Healthy Kitchen. Another time-saver? “Plan purposefully for leftovers,” says Beck. “Think about how you can cook once and get two or more meals—for your lunch or the kids’ lunches—out of it.” It may take a while to get the hang of shopping for seven dinners in one trip, so don’t beat yourself up if you find there isn’t enough in the fridge for a conventional meal that includes protein, veggies and starch come Thursday. Our guest editor, Chef Lynn Crawford, is all for taking it easy at the end of a busy day. “Have a fried egg sandwich!” she enthuses. Add some baby carrots or a side salad and you’ve got a nutritionally complete meal in mere minutes.
4 prep today for tomorrow
Whether you’re scrambling to get the kids to swimming lessons or to make it to your yoga class, hunting for gear the morning of can be a pain—so don’t, says Kumar. Instead, pack activity bags (one per hobby) with everything you need, and have the bag ready and waiting by the front door the night before. Use that same philosophy to get everyone out the door in the morning. “After dinner is a great time to look at the calendar and get all that planning done,” says Kumar. So make lunches, sign forms, check the schedule for extracurriculars and pack the activity bag for a fret-free start to the day.
5 Make time for you
Why should Jan. 1 have all the fun? Use the new season to try something new. That could be a cooking class, a book club or an hour of scheduled unplugged time. As long as it’s something that adds happiness, value or fun to your life, says Kumar, it doesn’t matter. “Take time to be aware of how you’re spending your time,” she says. “Get clear on what’s important to you.” Managing your time is about not only adding more to your busy life, says Kumar, but also figuring out what to subtract to make room for what matters.