Fall is often a time of transition — here’s how you can make it easier on your children
Fall is a time of change for many families. You’re likely getting back into the swing of the school year, preparing for the busy holiday season and participating in sports and extra-curricular activities.
Many children, however, struggle to adjust to changing routines. It’s important to identify ways that you, as a parent, can make the transition process easier on your children and help them enjoy all that autumn has to offer.
Making Schedule Changes Easier
It’s important to remember that while these tips are generally helpful for many families, every child is different and possesses unique needs.
Here are just a few things that might help your child feel more comfortable as their routines change:
- Validate their feelings: Changes in routines are often scary for kids, and it’s important to recognize that. Many children struggle with even seemingly insignificant alterations in their daily routines. You should sit down with your children, and ask them how seasonal changes make them feel. Tell them that you understand why they might be apprehensive, and are here to support them.
- Develop a nighttime schedule to improve bed-time: Over the summer season, bed-times may inadvertently shift later and later. In the fall, however, it’s important for children to readjust to waking up and going to sleep early. Building a consistent schedule that includes set times when they brush their teeth, hear a story and climb into bed can make the transition to an autumn routine significantly easier on both parents and children.
- Prepare in advance: It’s easy to make mornings a time to scramble. If you find yourself rushing to make breakfast, get kids ready and rush out the door each and every day, you might not realize that the stress you’re feeling is often picked up by your children. Work to prepare as much as possible in advance, so that mornings are smooth and stress-free. Common preparation techniques include setting clothes out and making breakfast in advance.
- Invite children to help set boundaries: Another step that you can take to make transitionary periods easier on your children is inviting them to help you set boundaries for your family. Ask your children how you can make the process of getting ready for school in the morning easier. Then, talk to them about ways that you can support their evening routine and make them feel more comfortable about changes in their routine.
- Reinforce positive behavior: When children are feeling stressed because of changes in their lifestyle and routines, they might act out. It’s important to recognize that a lack of sleep, stress and anxiety can all cause children to behave poorly both at home and in school. Work to reinforce positive behavior, particularly when it comes to following new schedules and routines that you’ve established with your children.
While some of these strategies might be useful, they’re not a panacea – consider the distinct, individual challenges that your children face while helping them adjust to a new schedule or routine.
How do you help your children adjust to changing schedules and routines? Are there any tips that you’re able to share with other parents?