Special Topics: Back to School

Where are my shoes?

Jean Kirch-Holliday, Extension Assistant, Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension

Summer has come to a close, school has begun and hopefully the new Autumn routines are running smoothly. Even with all the planning that goes into childcare arrangements, afterschool activities and home routines, it is common to come across a few obstacles. Finding shoes may be a small irritant but they can add up. So consider a review of your patterns.

For each routine ask what is preventing our family from harmony in daily tasks? How can we make this work better? Go through each part of the day collectively at home and detect things that may bring frustration. If the children are old enough, this is an excellent family meeting topic. Where will our shoes go when we get home from school? Does the area/basket/cube need to be labeled with words or a picture for small ones as a cue? Each child can describe their concerns about daily events. Then, work as a group to put together a chart or list about each part of the day. Topics to explore might be chores (who feeds the dog), mealtime (who sets the table), or homework arrangements (where, when, available supplies).

So why are routines important? Research says that children who have a predictable environment experience less stress. Children with special needs may find routines especially helpful. A more relaxed home life leads to better performance in school. Plus it can give the family time to spend together playing a nightly board game or reading a good book.

If you would like some ideas about your family plan, check out the website links below or give ParentLink a call for other articles that fit your situation.