Routines for back to school

Although the calendar year spans from January to December, most parents would agree that it is the school year that truly runs our lives. So, as summer has come to a close, take a few moments to sit down and reflect on the last school year to set yourself up for success this year. Which routines worked well last year? Which ones worked half the year but then fell apart, and which ones did not work at all?

Why are routines important?

Routines are The Background Music in Your Life. They set the tone, provide a rhythm, and create a sense of continuity to your day, often without you even realizing it.

Well-designed routines ensure that essential tasks get done efficiently, freeing up mental space and time for more meaningful or enjoyable activities. They reduce decision fatigue, bring stability in times of stress, and make room for both responsibility and spontaneity.

Like a steady beat in a favorite song, routines support you in staying balanced, focused, and in sync with your goals, no matter what kind of day you're having.

Keep What’s Already Working

If certain routines worked well for your family last school year, keep them! Don’t reinvent the wheel. For example, if your bedtime routine was teeth brushed by 7:30 and lights out by 8:00, bring it back a week before school starts to help ease the transition.

Tweak What Needs Improvement

Some routines may have started strong but lost momentum halfway through the school year, and that’s completely normal. Instead of scrapping them altogether, take a moment to figure out what went wrong. Were they too complicated? Did your schedule shift? Or maybe the routine just didn’t match your family’s natural rhythm.

For instance, say you had a solid after-school routine—snack, homework, then screen time—but over time, your child started skipping homework and heading straight to the tablet. Consider giving them a 15-minute break to unwind after school before jumping into studying. For younger kids, a visual checklist can be a helpful reminder of what comes next.

Small changes can make a big difference. Focus on simplifying and adjusting the routine to better fit your current reality.

Start Fresh Where Needed

If you didn’t have any systems last year that truly worked for your family, now is the perfect time to create new ones tailored to your current needs. Take a moment to reflect on your family’s unique routines, personalities, and challenges—what daily habits could make life easier and more enjoyable?

For example, if your family’s weeknights are packed with sports practices and games, aiming for everyone to sit down together for dinner every night might not be realistic. Instead, design routines that fit your lifestyle.

Routines Reduce Stress and Create Freedom, Not Restrictions

Routines aren’t meant to take away your ability to be spontaneous and go with the flow—quite the opposite! They’re there so you can say yes to that last-minute hike with friends because you’re not spending your Sunday scrambling to get laundry and other chores done. Once your routines are established and practiced, you’ll free up both time and energy for the things you truly enjoy.

Take 15 minutes today to jot down three routines you want to bring back—or create from scratch. Your future self will thank you! If you feel stuck, download this free list of helpful family routines to get you started.

"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.

The secret of your success is found in your daily routine."

John C. Maxwell