Launch Lessons: Tips to starting the school year strong The transition from relaxed, summer days to strict school bells can be hard on little ones and parents alike. Here’s some tips to launch into a new school year with good habits and routines built to last all year long. The easy, breezy days of summer beg for impromptu swims and popsicles at 3 p.m. But, when school begins, it’s time to wind back that bedtime routine, get the backpacks ready for action and start habits that will make a successful transition back to school life. Here’s some ideas to start now to help ensure the best year yet for your kiddos: Start your routine before you need it. It can be so jarring for everyone involved if the first day of school is also the first time your kids go to bed and get up early in three months. Move back this hardest-part of school starting at least two weeks before school begins. For two weeks, go to bed and get up like school is in session. This will make the first day transition feel much more normal. If summer has really upended your schedule, make small adjustments to your routines first – start going to bed a bit early each night for several weeks until you’ve reached the time they’ll be hitting the sack once school starts. Create positive excitement about the start of school. Let’s face it: What’s better than endless pool days and no homework? Not much. Be proactive about changing the conversation from dreading the end of summer to the excitement about starting something new. Start talking positively about the great things school will bring: Seeing friends, learning new things, meeting new teachers and friends and getting new supplies. Involve your kids in looking for new school supplies, backpacks, water bottles and other school gear. Find their favorite characters (Marvel, Disney, anyone?) and get them excited about what they’ll take every day with them to school. Take a tour of the school or go to Back-to-School night. Meeting teachers and seeing their new space to learn will not only help get them excited but calm any fears they have about upcoming change. Get organized and help foster independence. If you typically find yourself searching for shoes or signed permission slips as you try to juggle your way out the door each morning, this is the year for change! Each night, gather everything needed for the next morning. Lay out clothes, pack up backpacks with homework, signed papers, books to return, shoes (don’t forget socks) and anything else needed in the morning. Also, pack lunches and fill water bottles the night before. Lunch will stay fresh and water will get extra chilled, giving you valuable time back in the morning. Empower independence: Have your kids own these routines. Make getting ready for the next day part of their pre-bed routine. Teeth brushed and clothes picked out? PJs on and backpack ready? Have them pack their lunch and fill their water bottles while you supervise while making dinner. Adding ownership can help build autonomy into your kids. Be Back-To-School ready. Getting your kids back-to-school ready is something you only get to do about 18 times. Keep it simple so you enjoy the process – and they will too! Simple Modern has everything you and your kids need to get ready to go back to school. Get backpacks in the styles, characters and colors they want. Find the coordinating Kids’ Hadley lunch box and Porter Bento Box for them. Stay hydrated with a water bottle (or two – so you can wash one!) Add in the Joey Food Pouch, Ellie Snack Bag or ice packs to make lunches easier. Keep lunches hot with a Provision Food Jar. Organize supplies with a cute Hudson Pencil Bag.