From Practical Parenting Blog photos

With summer ending and the start of school just around the corner, drivers need to do their part to keep kids safe as they walk and bike to school. Whether you are taking your kids to school or just driving through a school zone, you can do your part to keep kids safe. August is designated as Back-to-School Safety Month, and we want to remind motorists to be extra careful at all times.
Follow the tips below to make sure you keep your children safe while walking and biking to school

Here are some simple reminders for drivers:
• Slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving.

Here are some reminders for your kids:
• They should cross the street with an adult until the age of 10.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars.
• Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them.

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.