Summer has been incredible, all those long days and late summers nights. But we as many parents during the summer holidays have got into a routine of allowing the boys to stay up later than usual. As parents I feel we are so much more flexible in the summer, spending longer in the garden as a family and losing track of time. And traveling lots which of course has taken its toll in terms of late nights and healthy eating.
The start of autumn and returning to school sees a new season along with the new school year. Yes, there are lots to look forward to: School Christmas plays, autumn leaves falling from the trees and long family autumn walks. Then following with the oh so exciting build up to Christmas, snow days and long winters walks.
But I also feel this is a time of the year to re-establish routine, organise ourselves for the school year ahead. We have started by setting a strict homework routine, getting homework done early in the week and handed in, rather that leaving it hanging over us like a dark cloud. Joe will use any avoidance tactic he can to not do homework. It is not that he is not capable, more that he can always think of something better to do.
In the last two weeks it has been exhausting getting Joe into a homework routine, but we have persisted and he is fast getting the message that this is a non negotiable matter, finally things are starting to get easier.
We have also re assessed sugar intake; we recently received a leaflet from Jacks diabetes nurse that outlined sugar content of breakfast cereals. The boy’s favourite cereal had 5 sugar cubes in per portion, omg that is just so much. So we now have a selection of cereals that only contain 1 sugar cube per portion. That still seems a lot for a seemingly innocent cereal but trust me when I researched this I was blown away by how much sugar was in some very innocent looking foods.
We plan to still get out and exercise. It is so easy once the nights draw in to light the fire and turn into hermits, but I am still aiming to get us all out for regular country walks. Fresh air and countryside walks are so important, I don’t want us turning into sloths for the winter, we will be getting out and getting plenty of exercise and fresh air this winter, only then can we come home and snuggle by the coal fire.
And lastly I have re assessed bed time routines, I have been terrible lately for blogging late into the night. So I am starting with myself and ensuring I get to bed at a reasonable time to allow me time to read, wind down and get some quality sleep.
Slumberdown recently sent Joe a memory foam mattress topper and this has really helped him to drift off at night, like me he likes to read in bed but can take ages to chill out and relax. We recently bought him a sprung mattress this was such a mistake, he just did not find it comfy and it was affecting his ability to wind down at night. His new mattress topper molds to the shape of his body and snuggles him to sleep, perfect for relaxing on cool autumn nights.
I am hoping the new routine will bring us smoothly into the busy winter months. Quality sleep, better organisation and lower sugar intake will help us all focus and adapt well to the new season and academic term ahead of us.
I’d be interested to know what breakfast cereals you’re on now. I’ve all but eliminated cereal in our house after seeing the wild spikes it causes in blood sugar levels. Especially Weetabix, of all things! We’re firmly on crumpets, porridge, granary toast or, believe it or not, chocolate muffins, which all keep GG’s blood sugar levels a lot more stable than any cereal we’ve tried. Shame though, she loved her cereal in the mornings.
Helen we are on Rice Krispies at the mo but, I agree bread, and crumpets is so much better for breakfast, but Jack prefers cereal in the morning, its a blooming mine field isn’t it? x
Oh how I love a good routine! Switching gears from a summer schedule to a school/fall one was a little bit of and adjustment for us over here, but now we’re pretty settled in and it feels great. I am quite jealous of the fact that you get to go out for beautiful country walks. We’re city folks over here and it just isn’t the same. Great post. #twinklytuesday
Thanks Heather, yes getting into a routine feels so comforting somehow doesn’t it ?
I hope your new routine works, I find the dark evenings and return to school sort out sleep patterns quite nicely here. #Twinklytuesday
Yes I must say Fiona we are settling into it more this week I think the boys wind down more in the evening when it is a little darker at night x
I love routine too hun! It makes life so much easier at times – a splash of spontaneity is great of course but general life needs routine! Love the American cushion!! Lush!! Glad to have you back hun. Xxx
Thanks lovely Lady, yes it is feeling good to get back into a routine. At first I felt a little fed up about it all but now I am getting more sleep it feels so much better and they boys are getting up a little easier in the mornings x
I was completely shocked at finding how many cereals are loaded with sugar and I’ve stopped eating any right now so I don’t spoke my sugars. My daily brekkie right now is brown bread with the lowest carbs I can find with 2 eggs, scrambled and it seems to work.
Its a minefield isn’t it? Have you tried carbs and cals ap it is amazing x
I totally get this Sarah, I was only thinking this yesterday – that we are in a terrible routine that is proving very difficult to get out of. Particularly me at bedtime! I’m a night owl by nature but obviously when it comes to term time, my alarm goes off at 6.45 whether I like it or not. 6 hours sleep is not enough! I’m trying to get into the habit of going to bed at 10.30 and reading before I go to sleep too. And yes, so scary about the sugar hidden in foods! x
Holidays are so amazing for fun but terrible for the routine, I have had a wonderful summer but it is feeling good to get back into a routine x
We’ve been in a really strict routine since the boys were born. Sometimes we’re a little laxer with it but, in the main, we love a routine in this house 🙂 To be honest, as a twin mum, I wouldn’t have coped without one!! 😉 Thanks so much for linking up with us xx #TwinklyTuesday
We were terrible with Jack, no routine at all but with Joe we were much stricter, but the older they get the more chilled we have got but lately I think it has been a little to chilled x
Oh yes the breakfast cereal sugar conundrum! It’s fast, but not so very good for you! My kids have a foam memory topper and they feel so fabulous!
I know they most definitely do make such a difference to your sleep so much comfier x
I think we are still in that transition stage between ‘routine completely out the window’ to ‘strict routine’. Getting there slowly. I love heading up to bed about 30 minutes before hubby so I get my reading time in peace. Glad to hear the homework routine seems to be going well. x
Thanks Tracey, yes its hard getting back into it isn’t it, I am glad to be finally getting a routine x