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The first week getting back to our usual routines after the kids spent the holidays with their grandparents was tough. Mornings were hard, and we had a few late school drop-offs. It felt like everyone was moving more slowly than we needed to. One afternoon, my son even fell asleep in the car on the way to swim class. That’s when I realized we were all still trying to catch up.

Everyone is tired.

As adults, we get it. The holidays threw off our routines, and things don’t just go back to normal right away. Kids don’t always understand that. They just feel it in their bodies through less patience, more emotions, and slower mornings.

January reminds us that getting back into a routine takes time. Our kids aren’t falling behind, but they’re just adjusting, and so are we.

To be honest, our first week back was anything but smooth.

Mornings were tough, and we had a few late school drop-offs. One day, it felt like we were behind from the moment we woke up. Later that week, my son fell asleep in the car on the way to practice. That’s when I realized just how tired we all were.

What made me smile a bit was realizing that, as adults, we know why we’re tired and that we’re just adjusting. Kids don’t always see it that way; kids just feel it in their bodies and moods.

So instead of trying to push through, I focused on adjusting our expectations and slowing down our mornings when we could. I let a few things go and talked openly about how tired we all felt, instead of pretending everything was fine. If things feel a bit off at your house right now, you’re not doing anything wrong.

You’re just getting back into your routine.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do isn’t to fix the routine right away. It’s to give everyone, including ourselves, a little grace as things settle back in.

And if you’re thinking, “Wow, my kids don’t seem to appreciate this reset as much as I do,” you’re definitely not alone. 😂

When we’re getting back into a routine, being consistent is more important than trying to do everything perfectly.

Choose one anchor, not a full reset

Instead of trying to fix the whole schedule, pick one routine to protect. Bedtime. Morning connection. A consistent check-in after school. One anchor helps everything else feel steadier.

Say it out loud before you do it
“We’re getting back into our routine tonight,” or “This week might feel off, and that’s okay.”

Kids regulate faster when they know what’s happening.

Build rhythm into your transitions

Transitions are where things fall apart. Add something predictable to them. A song before bedtime. A few deep breaths before leaving the house. Repetition builds safety.

Watch your energy before you correct behavior

Ask yourself, What tone am I bringing into this moment? Kids often need regulation before redirection. When we slow first, they follow.

End the day with one win

Name one moment that worked. Out loud if you can. It helps you and your kids reinforce what’s going well instead of focusing on what’s still messy.

Small actions done consistently create rhythm faster than big plans ever will.

Reply directly to this email with your question, or use this quick form to submit anonymously. Whether it’s about family routines, connecting with your kids, or managing stress, I’m here to help!

Let’s tackle parenting together, one question at a time!

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