This week: slipping smoothly back into the routine

This was my son's first week back to school after the Christmas holidays and after some time off for the whole family, there's always going to be a bit of adjustment as we all settle back into the daily routine. I knew my son would find this week a little tiring. It always seems to take about a week for him to get used to the schooldays and pacing himself to get through the day. I didn't want his tiredness and the grumpiness that can emerge as a result to affect everyone else's mood so have made a concerted effort to make the week go as smoothly as possible.

To be specific, I focused on the following few things to make the week better for us all:

• kept my own mood upbeat and positive, even if I was met with a grumpy face or moany request
• gave plenty of hugs and kisses
• remembered  to incorporate some positive reinforcement to reward his good behaviour
• provided a nice variety of packed lunches (I had got a bit slack on this towards the end of last term!)
• prepared as much as I could the night before for the packed lunches to keep my own mornings less of a mad rush (something else I had been neglecting at the end of last term!)
• brought him fairly substantial and fun snacks to eat after school on the way home
• cooked healthy evening meals but sticking to things I knew the children would enjoy eating and therefore reducing the number of potential 'battles'
• prepared evening meals while my son was at school and my daughter napping so I could spend more quality time with them both after school and again, to help my own sanity!
• ensured bedtimes were on time to keep my son well rested
• kept the rest of the week pretty low key for us all

I know what you're thinking, I should do all of this every week!! You're right! It all helped us have a smooth transition back to the daily routine. My son was happy being back at school, he was eating well and we didn't have any difficult behaviour. It was a good week!

How was your first week back to the routine after the holidays? Is there anything you made an effort to do to keep things ticking over nicely or was it naturally an easy switch?
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