The Comfort of the Routine

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It’s already time for back to school for much of the country. The warm days of summer have not yet subsided, but when school supplies beckon from the store shelves, you know it’s time to get back into the school routine.

While the routine is a surrender to summer days without the alarm clock, there are some who find comfort and higher efficiency with a consistent schedule. In “This Is What the Schedules of Successful People Look Like,” author Amy Johnson says many successful entrepreneurs create routines that contain similar elements that put them at the top of the game. Here are Johnson’s eight ideals found in business, in a format that can be applied to school:

1. They Have a Morning Routine (aka: the early bird gets the worm) – You could argue that middle schoolers and teens might not subscribe to this theory, but it really works for lots of elementary kids. Boundless energy can be harnessed for learning and playing. Evening is often not a kid-friendly time.
2. They Don’t Panic When Things Go Slightly Wrong – I think this is right on point, yet incredibly difficult to do consistently, which must “separate the men from the boys” in the business world. This one is tough for parents, especially if things seem to go slightly wrong everyday. Or a few things go very wrong which add up to freaking out when things then go just slightly wrong. I haven’t met a parent who has mastered this yet, but it’s on my bucket list.
3. They Work When They Don’t Have To – Know that science fair project that’s not due for a month? Start it now. Do a little each day. Take the kids to the store and have them pick out supplies. Teach them something new over the summer that might pop up in the fall curriculum. If time is a constraint, look to a grandparent or other adult who has expertise in a subject matter and ask them to help.
4. They Do Important Work First – Homework should come first after a student leaves school. It’s not always fun and can infringe on sunny time, but at least getting part of it done right after school ensures a better product. Provide a snack, turn on some music (or have your child find a quiet place) – whatever it takes to get at least part of the homework done right away.
5. They Keep Their Full Schedules in One Place – This would mean keeping all items on one calendar. This can be really difficult, but having a central keeper of information and schedules is crucial. Just like a student carrying his or her schedule on paper at school (which is an essential life skill), one person at home has to be the date and timekeeper.

6. They Understand Teamwork – A successful family unit runs with each participant playing a positive role. Communication, patience, family roles and rules all play into this. You’re going to get better buy-in if everyone knows his or her role, all of the family rules (and consequences) and most importantly, how valuable everyone is to the team.
7. They Take Their Work Seriously – You child’s education is his job. There may be chores at home or a job outside the home for a teenager, but getting an education is a full-time job that requires diligence and effort. For those kids who don’t like school, this is a tougher task. Parents have to find other avenues to provide learning and teach coping skills for classroom learning.
8. They Relax When They Are Done – Work hard, play hard. You’ve heard this, but do you take time to do it? You probably shuffle your kids to all of their fun activities, but do they get involved in yours? Share something silly that you like to do. Serve ice cream for dinner one day. Showing your kids you can relax not only opens up your whole family to new things, but it provides a balance that kids need for their entire lives.