It’s that time of year again! Summer is coming to an end, and the first day of school seems closer than ever. I’m here to let you know there are things you can do now, prior to the first day of school, that’ll help your child be more prepared for the new school year.

Routine: Summer fun can lead to hectic schedules, but it’s important to ease kids back into a more stable routine prior to the first day of school. A week or two before school starts begin waking your child up early, having breakfast and getting ready for the day together. In the evening stick to a schedule of eating dinner, taking a bath, reading a book and going to bed early. When it’s time to head back to school your child will be well rested and ready to fall back into the school year routine.

Educational Activities: Make time for educational activities in order to help your child get back into the swing of things. These activities don’t have to be boring. Head to the museum; count the number of dogs you see on your way to the park; make sure to read to your child every day. Educational summer day camps are an excellent support since they help with routine and will engage your child’s brain.

Get Organized: Don’t leave everything for the last minute – start getting organized now! Sort through your child’s closet to determine what back-to-school clothes they need for the year. Ask for a list of desired school supplies and purchase those now, too! Create a meal plan in advance to help your kitchen run with ease. Work with your child to create a homework station where your child can comfortably sit and work on homework afterschool each day.

Communicate: As always, it’s important to talk to your child. Communicating will allow your child to feel more prepared for what’s ahead. Give them time to ask questions, share concerns and more. Talk to your child about what to expect: what their average school day will look like, what their teacher’s name is, where they’ll go for lunch, etc. The more information you share with your child now the more ready they will be for the first day of school.

Summer is coming to an end. Start preparing for the first day of school now!

Happy parenting!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Parenting Expert and father of 7, Robert Nickell (aka Daddy Nickell) offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddy & Co., delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel for every stage of fatherhood, and the Daily Daddy Blog.  He is also the creator and producer of “My Life as a Dad,” the groundbreaking new web series that showcases celebrity fathers offering their personal experiences and parenting tips.

The post It’s Back to School Time appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

When you have children you know the importance of a good routine. Children thrive on routine and they’ll come to appreciate it greatly, but it’s not always easy to establish a routine at home. With seven children of my own I have tried it all, and I have come to figure out 5 tips that help build and establish a routine. And without further adieu, here they are:

 1.  Consistency – Write down your desired routine and complete it consistently, as a family, everyday for a week. The first week might be difficult, but don’t give up – be consistent. At the end of the week you’ll be able to make changes and modifications where necessary, and you’ll likely be surprised by how well your family has taken to the routine. After the first week it’ll go much more smoothly! Things to ensure are part of the routine include: a designated wake up time and bedtime, hygiene schedules, healthy meals, family time, play time, down time and school.

 2.  Communication – Talk about the routine everyday in order to make sure all family members are on the same page. Let your family add to the conversation in discussing what they like, what they don’t like, what works well, what doesn’t and why. Finding a routine that works for everyone is key to the success of your routine. So give every family member a chance to communicate in order to be sure everyone’s needs are being met by the routine you’ve created.

3. Organization – Be as organized as you can when it comes to your routine. Make sure homework is complete in the evenings, projects are ready for transport to the car before going to bed, everyone has what they need to leave the house, etc. We use a large family calendar wherein we write in big projects, happenings and the daily schedule of activities as well as a large white board where we write important reminders, so we don’t let anything fall through the cracks or ruin our routine.

 4.  Schedule – In our home, everyone looks at the calendar, discusses it, adds to it, and talks about their day, after school events, upcoming weekend events, family nights, and after school sports. Use a calendar and teach your children how to use it, too. If they know what the calendar means they’ll likely ask you to add their important events, activities and ideas to it. Don’t forget to allow time in the schedule for bumps in the road. Your routine might be bumpy every other day, and it’s important to plan time for those bumps in the schedule and make room for adjustments, too.

I know routines have the tendency to be rigid, but you can’t forget to have fun – be a family, be supportive, be funny, smile; life is short, enjoy the moments of chaos, and grow together.

Happy parenting!

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post 5 Routine Tips that Work appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

 Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, preparing for the first day of school each year can be a tiresome routine. With six kids ranging in age from 16 months to 26 years old, I have experienced many first days of school. I’ve put together some tips to help ensure this school year begins smoothly and easily for everyone.

Rest Up: Hectic summer schedules often make the swift transition into the classroom difficult. Make sure you mark the first day of school on your calendar well in advance, and start balancing out a more “normal” schedule at least a week prior. The “normal” schedule I’m suggesting includes having a consistent bedtime and a morning wake-up routine that will get your children the rest they require and the consistency needed to transition smoothly come the first day of school.

Communicate: As many of you know, I’m a strong advocate of open communication. The first day of school can have a large impact on your child’s emotional state. They might have anxiety about navigating the hallways, making new friends or leaving you for the first time. Have open discussions with your child about the first day of school and what to expect. Go over their schedule together, and be sure to give them the opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns, too.

Encourage: As many of us do, your child might need a bit of extra encouragement on the first day of school. Get up with your child and have a healthy and hearty breakfast together before taking off for school. Put a note of encouragement in their lunchbox, backpack or binder to let them know you’re behind them 100%. If your child is attending school for the very first time let them take a photo or something special and comforting with them that they can hold onto when they’re feeling sad or scared or lonely. Whatever you do, make sure your child knows you’re a proud parent.

Be a Joiner: Sometimes, the best way to make friends is to be a joiner. We all know this is not everyone’s cup of tea. Sit down with your child ahead of time to decide what kinds of activities they’re interested in participating in for the year ahead. Be careful not to overwhelm your child with too many activities. Start by picking just one or two things, and go from there. Also try to find out if there are kids in your neighborhood who also attend the same school. Maybe you can carpool together or set-up a play date prior to school beginning – that way your child can have a friend before even entering the classroom.

The first day of school should be exciting and fun. When in doubt, simply be there for your child and encourage them to do their very best. You’ve got this!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 6, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gear for dads, and the Daddyscrubs.com blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Preparing for the First Day of School appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.