The summer months in Dallas were filled with sunshine, swimming pools, and later sunsets. For many of us, summer is a time to relax, feel more carefree, and act more flexibly with our schedules, especially our routines. For me and my family of five, summer represents a time to unplug, enjoy time together, and feel more playful with one another – in a way that fosters less routine than usual. It represents a season of fun.
Now, that season has changed and a new school year has begun. My alarm goes off at 5:30am every morning, blaring at me to rise before my mind and body feel ready. I wonder how many other parents may feel the same way. While I want to relish in what feels comfortable, my experience as a parent and child therapist tells me that a more joyful and intentional morning routine yields a more positive day. When our morning is well, our family is well.
There is an abundance of research and articles that suggest effective back-to-school strategies promote healthy structure, routine, and consistency. One of my favorite back-to-school articles can be found here from The Child Mind Institute. These articles can be profound in helping us, as parents, conceptualize the tools needed to make our routines more effective for children.
Instead of focusing on the tools, I encourage you to focus on a concept, which is to model and promote a positive routine in your household. A positive routine can simply be defined as a routine that promotes wellness and healthy habits that support you in feeling more positive throughout your day. While organization, structure, and predictability is key, none of those strategies truly matter without creating the foundation for positivity in how your family interacts together. The morning hours serve as a crucial time to set a healthy foundation for the day and connect with one another. Yet, these hours also feel tricky because there can be a lot of tasks to accomplish and big feelings to support in a limited amount of time. Whether you’re the parent who wakes up to seize the day or you need multiple cups of coffee to function, it is crucial to intentionally model a positive routine for children to support their transition into the day.
The Benefits of Positive Routines for Children
Positive routines offer a multitude of benefits for children, including:
- Improved mental health: Consistent routines can help children feel more secure and stable, reducing anxiety and stress.
- Enhanced emotional regulation: By establishing predictable patterns, children can better understand and manage their emotions.
- Increased focus and concentration: Routines can create a sense of structure, making it easier for children to stay focused on tasks.
- Better sleep: Consistent bedtimes and wake-up times promote healthy sleep habits, leading to improved mood and cognitive function.
- Stronger relationships: Positive routines can foster a sense of connection and belonging within the family, strengthening relationships.
- Increased academic success: Children who have established routines are often better prepared for school and more likely to succeed academically.
I encourage you to think about how you want to integrate positivity into your family’s morning routine. Perhaps, you’d like to set your alarm earlier to spend more time together or sit down together as a family for breakfast (even if it lasts 5 minutes!). Your routine ultimately depends on your family’s lifestyle. What matters most is infusing a positive focus and modeling positive routines in whichever approach you may take. The goal is to promote family wellness, together.
For my family, we enjoy starting the day off with piggy-back rides out of bed to promote connection, sitting at the breakfast table to ignite communication, and walking to school together to enjoy nature before our day begins.
As your family begins a new school year, what can you do to promote a positive routine in your home?
Child & Family Therapist at Insights Collaborative Therapy Group
Parent Coaching & Support