Do your kids go practically feral or turn into total couch potatoes in the summer? Make small changes to their routine now for an easier back-to-school experience.
Summer’s in full swing, but the first day of school is right around the corner! Starting early can make the back-to-school change smoother for everyone. Here’s how:
Go Step-by-Step
Be kind to yourself and your kids. Add a couple of small changes each week instead of changing everything at once. Many kids do better with slow, steady changes. Set them up for success in the classroom by focusing on these areas:
Sleep
Sleep habits easily go off track in the summer. Not getting enough sleep can lead to poor focus, grumpiness, and unnecessary drama. Experts agree that sleep is a good way to begin resetting a school-year schedule.
Start small. Put children to bed and wake them up 15 minutes earlier every few days until you reach a school-ready schedule.
Kids need plenty of sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends:
- Ages 3–5: 10–13 hours
- Ages 6–12: 9–12 hours
- Ages 13–18: 8–10 hours
Help your child settle into a good night’s sleep with these simple bedtime habits:
- Take a bath or shower.
- Read a bedtime story together.
- Put away screens at least 1 hour before bed.
- Do a calming activity, like stretching or journaling.
- Let them snuggle with a stuffed animal or favorite blanket.
Better sleep habits include limiting sugar and caffeine after lunchtime and making sure kids stay active during the day, so they’re tired when it’s time to sleep. Older kids need to be careful not to sleep in or nap too much, especially as the first day of school approaches.
Meals
Summer meals can be all over the place. Start bringing back a routine slowly.
- Choose one meal a day to eat at a regular time, like breakfast.
- Cut back on constant snacking.
- Use a simple meal planner to make your life easier.
- Find FREE FOOD in your area if you need the help!
- Try these kid-friendly school lunches and snacks.
School supplies
Preparing for school on a budget is hard. Cut costs by:
- Going to a FREE Back-to-School event for giveaways, including free haircuts, backpacks, school supplies, or clothes.
- Shopping at second-hand or thrift stores for good deals on gently used items.
- Making three lists:
- “Must-haves” they need for class.
- “Already-haves” you don’t need to buy.
- “Want-to-haves” for when the budget allows.
Checkups and Vaccines
Before school starts, schedule your child’s yearly checkup (well-child visit). This visit helps ensure your child is healthy and ready to learn. The doctor will check their general health, growth, developmental goals, and give them any needed vaccines.
- You can help calm your child’s nerves by talking about what will happen at the visit.
- For younger kids, try a fun practice visit at home using a doll or stuffed animal.
- Use a checklist to prepare. A little prep can make the visit easier for everyone!
- Write down any questions for you or your child to ask the doctor so you don’t forget to ask them.
Mental health matters!
Quieting anxiety and building confidence are so important, especially at a new school or after major life changes. Small actions you take can make a big difference in your child’s mental health, but remember that asking for professional help when they need it is sometimes necessary and a positive step.
- For confidence: Remind your children of the things you admire about them or what other teachers or family members have complimented them on. You can also show them how to make daily affirmations (or say them together) to boost their self-esteem.
- For anxiety: Starting or ending the day with a pep talk to remind your kid how awesome/smart/kind they are or sending them to school with a comfort item like a worry stone or bracelet can help.
- For mental health or substance use support: Community First Members do not need a referral for mental health or substance use services. Check out our new, online Mental Health Hub to find out what services are covered and how to get help now.
- For depression or suicidal ideation: Call 988, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Back-to-school stirs up excitement and nervousness, but with a little planning and a little luck, you and your kids can succeed and enjoy this special time. Future you will thank you later if you get started now!
Sources
- Sprankles, J. (2025, July 28). How To Get Your Kid Back-To-School Ready After Their Feral Gremlin Summer. Scary Mommy. ScaryMommy.com/Lifestyle/How-to-Get-Kids-Back-to-School-Ready-After-Feral-Gremlin-Summer. 6/26/26.
- Julie (2023, August 20). Fab Working Mom Life Blog. FabWorkingMomLife.com/Get-Ready-for-Back-to-School-With-These-Tips. 6/28/26.
- Noyed, D. (2026, May 28). Back to School Sleep Tips. Sleep Foundation. SleepFoundation.org/School-and-Sleep/Back-to-School-Sleep-Tips. 6/23/26.
- Paruthi, S. et al. (2016). Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: a consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. PediatricSleepDurationConsensus.pdf. 6/20/26.
- Kristy. (2025, August 3). The Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist on a Budget. Money Bliss. MoneyBliss.org/Ultimate-Back-to-School-Checklist-on-a-Budget. 6.26/26.