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School-Aged Children
heyitsme
member
Did you "test run" your school night routine?
heyitsme
member
Last night I decided we should do a "test run" of DD's school night routine, so I could get a grasp of how long each thing would take (it's not scheduled in terms of time slots, but more like "Do X, then Y, then Z). Especially because she's been going to bed a bit later this summer than she does when in school.
I was pleasantly surprised at how well it all went. We got home from camp (about the same time we'll get home from school/work), she played with her Littlest Pet Shop stuff while I cooked dinner, we sat down to dinner together (it's just DD and I 4 nights of the week), after dinner she watched Phineas and Ferb while I took care of the dishes, packed lunches, etc. When Phineas and Ferb was over she took a shower, we played Legos together for 30 minutes, then she got dressed for bed, brushed her teeth, and we laid down... she read a book (just a BOB book) to the baby, I read her a book, and she was asleep by 8:30pm. Painless!
The only bummer is, lately we've been walking (well, I walk and she scooters or bikes or roller skates) after dinner. I wanted to keep that in, but I just don't know where/how... I can't eliminate TV, as she really loves that show and it's the only TV time she gets every night. Maybe since she doesn't shower every night, we'll walk on the nights when she doesn't. Or switch out the play time together (like Legos) for walks on shower nights. We'll have to see...
Mom to J (10), L (4), and baby #3 arriving in July of 2015
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Did you "test run" your school night routine?
What about homework? I hear even kindergarteners have some homework. Maybe you can switch out the Legos for homework? Or she can do it while you make dinner?
I haven't tried the night routine yet - it's going to be different all the time because I work some days and he has activities some nights, BUT since he's starting Tuesday, we're starting to make bed earlier starting tonight (I hope).
She'll be in 1st grade. She did have homework in K but it was a packet sent home on Wed. and due by Monday so it was not an every night thing. Also, she's in an after school program and homework is done there, so there is a chance she won't have any homework to actually do at home.
My DD's start school the week after next. Starting tomorrow night they will begin their school bed times and nightly routines, so they have a week to get ready and know what is expected. I think that it will go ok except for the actual bedtime part. They have been staying up late each night.
We tested our schedule out for a while before school - about 2 weeks beforehand and every day until the "big day." He's just going to Kindergarten this year, but I think it's important for kids to have structure in their home lives. He's so used to the routine that he corrects us on what's next (which is nice when you're dealing w/ pregnancy brain).
Another thing we instituted this year is a reward chart. He has a few lists on the fridge that tell him his "to-do list" for morning, noon, and night. Then there is a chart in my office that corresponds with the lists (breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed...etc) - he gets a check mark if he accomplishes his goal without any issues, but when he talks back, doesn't listen, etc., we give him a big, red "X" on the chart. If he goes 2 weeks with 2 "X"s or less, he gets a small toy at the end of the 2 weeks. Otherwise its three strikes, your out (which he gets b/c he's a baseball kid!).