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One of the hardest things for me to do as a single mom is getting my two girls ready for school! I am not kidding — fighting to get them out of bed, fighting them to get dressed, yelling at them to stay focused, and to quit fighting over clothes! This is why this year I decided to come up with a PLAN to make things easier – a back to school bedtime routine. #kidgoals
It’s a well know fact that children need routine in their daily lives – they thrive in a structured environment. Giving a child a routine to follow actually teaches them how to be in control of their emotions and their environment. A good routine helps children feel secure – and a great bedtime routine is a great way to start (at any age).
Establish a set bedtime. The amount of sleep a child needs depends on several factors, including age of the child. Sleep is important for their developing brains and bodies –> so here is a handy reference chart to go by.
This chart was first posted by Wilson Elementary School of Kenosha, WI.
Give a bedtime warning to start the wind down process. I know my girls do well when I give them a warning that bedtime is approaching. I always let them know an hour before hand, so they can start their bedtime routine.
Turn off the technology. Studies have shown that by turning off electronics an hour before bedtime helps you fall asleep easier and faster.
Use books and music to help relax children before bed. Using books and music before bed can help your children relax. This is also a wonderful bonding time for parents and children. It can also help strengthen their reading and other learning skills as well. Bonus. Check out our kid book reviews for some book suggestions.
Create a tasks checklist for children to use. We created this laminated task list together. The girls can consult this chart before bedtime, and cross off things as they complete them. I think it’s a wonderful way to help the girls take initiative and help in the bedtime process.
Take baths at night. I prefer giving my girls their baths at night. I have found that it not only saves time in the mornings, but it helps relax them before bed. It also gives them a last minute “play session”. I always have lavender bubble bath, lotion, or bath fizzes on hand for the nights they are especially wound up! Check out our other bath time posts for fun ideas.
Lay out your clothes and bags the night before. Save yourself some time and effort in the morning by having the kids pick out their outfits for the next day. I also check the weather at this time.
One of my favorite stores to find the perfect school clothes is Gymboree. They provide quality, coordinated outfits for every occasion – including the first day of school. I love how their clothes are super comfy, and mix and match perfectly. This is a plus on my list because the girls wear the same size, so this keeps them from fighting over clothes. Everything just mixes and matches perfectly!
Are you ready to get a back to school bedtime routine established? Give these tips a try and see how they can help your child get their best sleep – and start this school year off right!
The giveaway ends September 1st, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. CST. The giveaway is open to US residents, age 18+, only. You will contacted by email, and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Good Luck!
This post was Sponsored by Gymboree. All opinions about the clothing are my own. It was a pleasure working with such a great company, thank you! Stay up to date with Janie and Jack’s newest products and sales on Facebook , Instagram, and Twitter!
Oh such great tips and ideas! I love the idea of the checklist for them! We love to read before bed…and that bedtime chart is so wonderful!!! I always wondered how much he needed! Thank you!
I read to my kids every night and I do the sheet they nned to do every night before bed too and they get a reward every week if done all of the checklist
My goals are to have my kids stay organized through out the year. It seems like the last month or two they give up and aren’t as organized as they was at the beginning. I love so many outfits!
When my daughters were little my husband worked evenings. We had our little routines in the evening ending with reading books. They thrived on our schedule.
Our goals for our three boys is for them to read more. They always drag their feet when it comes to reading, but end up enjoying it. I love to read and hope that my kids get more into it.
A bedtime routine is definitely important! I usually like to start it before school starts but with my husband traveling it kind of went by the way side. We’re working on it now the kids are in school.
Love Gymboree! Their clothes are so cute! I’ve been eyeing that Heather Grey Peplum your daughter is wearing. It has all my first grader’s faves on it.
I LOVE the rainbow star dress on Gymboree’s website! One of my goals this school year is to make sure my daughter reads or does any homework BEFORE she plays!
Love the chart! I think I might make one with real pictures of my kiddos doing the task. My 2,3 and 10 year old all have a different bedtime and it just works.
I like the wind down time I use that with my kids I’ll send them to bed a hour earlier than they’re actual bedtime to give them time to wind down and fall asleep.
That chart is awesome! I wasn’t sure when I should be getting my girls to bed. That was really easy to understand and helpful as were the other tips. Hope I can implement them now.
We have a routine very similar – however, as any parent knows, the plan can quickly change depending upon the circumstances. We let them pick out clothes the night before, bur many times they change their minds in the morning – so having them have a morning routine is extremely helpful.
Newbie here! Love your blog! This post was vary helpful my son has gone all summer on his device! We went camping this summer for a whole week at walkinsglen campsite and went to darien lake with my in laws and my 8year old had to leave his device home and it was the best thing for him! I can’t get him to so anything when he has it I’m just waiting for hu I’m to brake it by mistack so he doesn’t get a new one thats pretty much how I feel about it lol I also have a two year old boy to and its hard getting him to bed when he sees brother up on his device so things are gonna have to change quick before school stats here in Baldwinsville NY! 3rd grade here he comes! I also put him in soccer so he wouldn’t be looking at that darn screen! Looking forward to seeing more of tour blogs!!!
Newbie here! Love your blog! This post was vary helpful my son has gone all summer on his device! We went camping this summer for a whole week at walkinsglen campsite and went to darien lake with my in laws and my 8year old had to leave his device home and it was the best thing for him! I can’t get him to do anything when he has it. I’m just waiting for him to brake it by mistake so he doesn’t get a new one thats pretty much how I feel about it which is sad to say lol I also have a two year old boy too and it’s hard getting him to bed when he sees his brother up on his device 😦 so things are gonna have to change quick before school starts on September 6 here in Baldwinsville NY! 3rd grade here he comes! I also put him in soccer so he wouldn’t be looking at that darn screen everyday! Looking forward to seeing more of your blogs!!!
I got to see my nephew the other day was so great. He is in kindergarten and then I have one that just started head start as well. Max and Penny. They live with the mother’s family, her mom (their grandma) actually, and I know this would really help them. My family has a lot of kids and it’s been a blessing on us and we sure would appreciate this.
I love the constellation dress. I hope my children will do well in school..for my son learn how to play the trumpet. For my daughter, continue excelling in school, 2nd grade.
Love the bedtime chart that’ll come in handy!
My goal is that our children will get good grades.
I believe in a bedtime routine. It works well with both my boys.
Oh such great tips and ideas! I love the idea of the checklist for them! We love to read before bed…and that bedtime chart is so wonderful!!! I always wondered how much he needed! Thank you!
What a helpful chart! I haven’t seen one like that before.
I love the back to school outfits. 🙂
Good organization and discipline in the current schools. My children are very happy that they are attending such a school
We start about 2 weeks before school starts. Works well
Trying to get my oldest on a schedule is so difficult
I read to my kids every night and I do the sheet they nned to do every night before bed too and they get a reward every week if done all of the checklist
Sorry this krystal pena I dont know why it put my screen name up lol
My goals are to have my kids stay organized through out the year. It seems like the last month or two they give up and aren’t as organized as they was at the beginning. I love so many outfits!
My granddaughter’s goal for this year is to start reading Chapter Books.
Super cute at Gymboree — really like the fuzzy striped cardigan and the pink sparkle cardigan. Their leggings and jeans are really nice too!
My daughter will be in her 3rd year of learning the Mandarin language. She is really determined to learn it and get good at it.
My goal for my niece this year is for her to apply to the colleges that she wants to attend by November.
When my daughters were little my husband worked evenings. We had our little routines in the evening ending with reading books. They thrived on our schedule.
Our goals for our three boys is for them to read more. They always drag their feet when it comes to reading, but end up enjoying it. I love to read and hope that my kids get more into it.
The bedtime routine is to read a book and sleep early!
Our bedrime goal is reading a good book and sleeping early!
We try to get to bed early and pack lunches the night before. tHank you
A bedtime routine is definitely important! I usually like to start it before school starts but with my husband traveling it kind of went by the way side. We’re working on it now the kids are in school.
Love Gymboree! Their clothes are so cute! I’ve been eyeing that Heather Grey Peplum your daughter is wearing. It has all my first grader’s faves on it.
I LOVE the rainbow star dress on Gymboree’s website! One of my goals this school year is to make sure my daughter reads or does any homework BEFORE she plays!
We’re trying to get the twins to read more at night, before bedtime.
Very helpful tips! I will try some out with my grandson. Thank you!
Very helpful tips. We read books, for our wind down time. I love the chart.
Great tips thank you!
Love the chart! I think I might make one with real pictures of my kiddos doing the task. My 2,3 and 10 year old all have a different bedtime and it just works.
I like the wind down time I use that with my kids I’ll send them to bed a hour earlier than they’re actual bedtime to give them time to wind down and fall asleep.
Great post! I was happy to see my kids are right on the chart!
Love the post! Great tips
This has been super helpful!
I love the idea of a task list! My girls do well with sticker charts!!
That chart is awesome! I wasn’t sure when I should be getting my girls to bed. That was really easy to understand and helpful as were the other tips. Hope I can implement them now.
To get good grades and make new friends at a new school. I love the speed demon for boys or any of the elastic waistband pants.
read a book before bed
I love the idea of a task list! This will be helpful.
Our goals are to read more books and be more organized. The wake and sleep chart were helpful.
Great tips and ideas! I will need to use some of them
We have a routine very similar – however, as any parent knows, the plan can quickly change depending upon the circumstances. We let them pick out clothes the night before, bur many times they change their minds in the morning – so having them have a morning routine is extremely helpful.
Nice tips. I have a bit of trouble getting our kids back on school schedule.
Our goal it to be better about keeping a calendar with all our activities/events on it. I love the girls Bunny Shift Dress!
My goal for my niece is to part take on more out door activities
I’m hoping to have my 4 year old take a swim class. I think this outfit is adorable 🙂 http://www.gymboree.com/shop/outfit/toddler-boys-forest-friend-17014383
I like the Heart dress from Gymboree for my nieces.
We would get a bath and then read a book and that did it.
soak in a bath for sure
my little niece would love the heart dress for sure
A set bedtime is very important at my house, and I always have my kids lay out their clothes the night before.
Our goals this year is to really concentrate on spelling and writing.
Newbie here! Love your blog! This post was vary helpful my son has gone all summer on his device! We went camping this summer for a whole week at walkinsglen campsite and went to darien lake with my in laws and my 8year old had to leave his device home and it was the best thing for him! I can’t get him to so anything when he has it I’m just waiting for hu I’m to brake it by mistack so he doesn’t get a new one thats pretty much how I feel about it lol I also have a two year old boy to and its hard getting him to bed when he sees brother up on his device so things are gonna have to change quick before school stats here in Baldwinsville NY! 3rd grade here he comes! I also put him in soccer so he wouldn’t be looking at that darn screen! Looking forward to seeing more of tour blogs!!!
Newbie here! Love your blog! This post was vary helpful my son has gone all summer on his device! We went camping this summer for a whole week at walkinsglen campsite and went to darien lake with my in laws and my 8year old had to leave his device home and it was the best thing for him! I can’t get him to do anything when he has it. I’m just waiting for him to brake it by mistake so he doesn’t get a new one thats pretty much how I feel about it which is sad to say lol I also have a two year old boy too and it’s hard getting him to bed when he sees his brother up on his device 😦 so things are gonna have to change quick before school starts on September 6 here in Baldwinsville NY! 3rd grade here he comes! I also put him in soccer so he wouldn’t be looking at that darn screen everyday! Looking forward to seeing more of your blogs!!!
I got to see my nephew the other day was so great. He is in kindergarten and then I have one that just started head start as well. Max and Penny. They live with the mother’s family, her mom (their grandma) actually, and I know this would really help them. My family has a lot of kids and it’s been a blessing on us and we sure would appreciate this.
I love the constellation dress. I hope my children will do well in school..for my son learn how to play the trumpet. For my daughter, continue excelling in school, 2nd grade.