Now that the lazy days of summer are coming to an end, it’s time to gear up for the hustle and bustle of school days. It’s always hard to say goodbye to summertime, but once you get back into the swing of an everyday routine, your family will be in top shape in no time! Here are a few suggestions to follow before the school year gets into full swing.

Bedtimes –You shouldn’t budge on this one. It’s very important for kids to get enough sleep for good concentration and energy levels. With smaller kids, bedtime can be a tough act to enforce, but keeping a few things consistent can make it easier. After dinner, set the bath ritual as a first step in winding down. After bath time, reward the kids with a snack and have them select a few books. Read together as a family and once the books are finished, it’s lights out – no exceptions! An ideal bedtime for toddlers is between 7 and 8 p.m.

Eating schedules – Make dinnertime a family occasion. Set a certain time and keep it. It’s a wonderful way for family members to be together and communicate the events of their day and other happenings in their lives. Keep this one a rule – it will pay off.

Homework – The optimum time to do homework is immediately after school. Establish an after school routine for kids to come home, unwind a bit, enjoy a snack and get started. You might want to reward finished homework with a favorite television show or movie after dinner. Having this rule and sticking to it will make life much easier for everyone.

Stick to these tips and your routine will be rolling in no time. Remember, rules and boundaries are good for kids. Enforcing them makes you a happier parent and your family a stronger unit.