It's time to bring back the scheduler for families. So, how can we come back to school with the time management necessary...gracefully?  What has worked for your family?

We have 2 tools that have helped our family transition from slower days of Summer to the busy school days:

1. Manage Expectations

   I give myself 1 month to adjust. I’ve learned it takes us a full month. So I don’ get upset when we are running late that first month or can’t find the school clothes we need. It just takes us that long from the first day of school until we have our systems. Once I realized this, it helped us relax when things didn’t go as planned.

2. Use the Two Minute Turtle Turtle Timer…

How does the Two Minute Turtle Timer help with Back to School?

1. Take the pain out of the transitions.  Use 2 minutes to help kids switch activites and shift to the next one. So much of the day, and often the struggle, with kids (and adults) is in transitioning.  The Turtle Timer makes transitions clearer and transparent..

2. Help Kids Succeed Quickly.  When kids succeed (like with all of us), they feel better!  The Turtle Timer is designed for little hands, eyes that seek stimulation without distracting. When they use the Turtle for transitions, they are in charge (no nagging or reminders). Kids get the independence they crave.

3. Make Brushing Teeth Time Fun. Teeth brushing is a gateway healthy habit. With successful toothbrushing, kids learn to do one of the very important daily habits on their own. One less thing for parents to worry about.

4. Show kids what time looks like in lights. Without numbers or clocks, just the lights and a turtle will help them to feel 2 minutes. We don’t expect strong time management in kids—they are kids! —but we can introduce timed tasks in a way they can enjoy

5. Remind kids about the Tortoise and the Hare, the old fable, and the value of continuing to stay in the race, and worry less about their speed!

6. Use one less device at bedtime. Help kids wind down. Children will often choose their device but when you there’s a way to get a job done without the phone or ipad, it’s a treat—no worries of distraction, noise or the need to take it away from them.

Wishing you and your family all the best in this transition time and we at the Turtle Timer team,

hope you have a wonderful school year!