It’s 6:30 a.m.
Somewhere in the depths of a very cosy blanket and a fort of pillows, my 6-year-old mumbles, ‘Five more minutes.’
I check the clock; it’s already been ten.
‘Let’s go shower.’
A dramatic groan usually follows.
And just like that, the school routine is back.
The once-lazy mornings of movie marathons and slow breakfasts have been replaced with squinting eyes, half-eaten banana pancakes, and repetitive negotiations over why we really, really have to leave now.
And it’s not just the kids who are struggling.
Parents, whether working or stay-at-home, are also recalibrating.
The house suddenly feels too quiet after weeks of non-stop holiday energy, and somehow, getting back into the school routine feels just as challenging for us as it does for them.
So, how do we make this transition smoother for them and for us? Let’s delve into this together.
Accept That Mornings Are Going to Be a Mess (And Plan for It)
Let’s be real.
No amount of ‘Let’s get everything ready the night before‘ will prevent at least one runaway shoe, forgotten forms, or an emergency bathroom trip when you’re already late.
But small hacks do help.
- The Nighttime Reset: Bags by the door, water bottles filled, uniforms ironed (or at least found). The less thinking required in the morning, the better.
- Wake-Up Strategies: Some kids wake up fresh, while others like mine seem to emerge from a hibernation cave. A wake-up song, a race to the bathroom, or (when all else fails) the promise of a little fun snack after school sometimes helps.
- Time Padding: If school starts at 7:30 a.m., pretend it starts at 7:15 a.m. You’d be surprised how those extra ‘fake’ minutes save you.
Managing Emotions (Yours and Theirs)
New year, new worries.
Will they like their teacher?
Will they have friends in their class?
Will they lose yet another water bottle within the first week?
For kids, anxiety can show up in different ways.
They might be clingier, moodier, or suddenly have an upset stomach.
It’s all part of adjusting.
- Validate, Don’t Dismiss: A simple, ‘I know it feels a little scary, but you’ve done this before, and you’ll be great,’ goes a long way.
- Give Them a Little Control: Whether it’s picking their own snacks or choosing their school shoes, even small choices can make them feel more confident.
- A ‘Secret Note’ Trick: Slip a tiny note (or a silly drawing) into their pencil case or lunchbox. It’s a small way to remind them you’re cheering them on.
And parents, let’s be honest.
We have our own emotions to manage too.
The house feels quieter and after weeks of a chaotic, lively holiday, there’s suddenly a void.
Stay-at-home parents might find the silence unsettling.
Working parents might feel that mix of relief and guilt for not being there at pick-up.
It’s all valid.
Maybe this is a good time to restart a hobby, plan a long-overdue coffee date, or just sit in glorious silence for a while.
Plus, in a couple of hours, the chaos resumes.
The Great Bedtime Adjustment
After a month of ‘Just one more episode‘ and ‘It’s the holidays, we can sleep late‘, transitioning back to school-appropriate bedtimes can sometimes feel like a battle.
- The Gradual Wind-Down: If bedtime was previously 10 p.m., don’t expect an immediate 8:30 p.m. shutdown. Bring it back in 15-minute increments.
- Screens Off, Books On: If your child is reluctant to sleep, try a bedtime story with dimmer lights and warm cuddles.
- Your Own Sleep Matters Too: If you’re waking up at 6 a.m., you also need to sleep earlier. Yes, that means no more late-night scrolling (unless it’s for harmless online shopping, in which case, carry on, mummies).
Easing Post-Holiday Blues
Kids aren’t the only ones struggling with post-holiday withdrawal.
After weeks of stress-free schedules, suddenly being back in the school to homework to early bedtime cycle is a hard on everyone.
- Keep a Bit of the Holiday Spirit Alive: Plan a small treat for the weekend maybe a family outing, a ‘movie breakfast’ on Saturday, or a movie night. Something small to break up the routine.
- Make School Sound Exciting: Instead of focusing on, ‘Back to school, ugh!,’ frame it as ‘New year, new adventures!‘
- Get Yourself Something Nice Too: Maybe it’s a fancy coffee, a fresh planner, or just a moment to breathe. Kids aren’t the only ones adjusting.
Give Yourself Grace
Not every morning will be smooth.
Some days, the socks won’t match, the breakfast won’t be eaten, and somebody will cry about something extremely small (them or you, to be determined).
And that’s okay, my fellow mummies!
Don’t worry because by the second or third week, things will typically settle.
The wake-ups will get easier, the bedtime battles will fade, and one day, you’ll blink, and they’ll be the ones waking you up because they’re excited to go.
Until then, we survive one morning at a time.
Coffee in hand.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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