Surviving Back-to-School with a Well-Planned Routine.

Some of you may still have the chance to be on vacation, so take the opportunity to rest, let go, and recharge. For those who have already returned to work, enjoy the slightly slower pace of summer to get ahead and savor the beautiful summer evenings. In both cases, if you have children, these few days/weeks before the start of the school year will allow you to begin preparing for the return calmly, so you won't be overwhelmed at the end of the summer. It's a good time to start thinking about a solid and enjoyable routine that you can implement to make your life easier. And Geneviève explains why it's important in this article!

The back-to-school season is approaching, so let's make the most of the last days of good weather and vacation. It's that time of year when schedules get disrupted, the daily grind starts again, traffic resurfaces, and stress increases as the nights get shorter. I'm writing this text not to scare, increase your workload, or claim that one technique is better than another, but simply to provide some solutions and lighten the mental load that may be weighing a bit heavily on your shoulders right now. As an anxious person myself, if this little text can reassure, soothe, or prevent even just one person from having a panic attack, that would be a positive outcome!

One of my twin daughters faced sleep problems for 3 years (and as a result, the parents also had 3 difficult years). We met with doctors, specialists, therapists... and the first question they always asked us was: do you have a well-established routine at home? Those who know me well know that I am a very routine-oriented person... For my partner, routine was less important; however, I insisted on implementing a routine for the twins, and my partner, knowing how important it was to me, acted in the same direction.

Routine is something important to me for the following reasons:

• Firstly, because without a solid routine, we would have never seen the light at the end of the tunnel with the arrival of two babies at the same time.

• Secondly, because I am easily anxious, and the routine manages to calm and soothe me, allowing me to be a loving and caring mother and more patient with the twins.

• Thirdly, the routine helps me integrate all the important aspects of my life, from family management to work, including physical training hours and a busy lifestyle combined with a healthy diet. All of this relies on good organization and a well-established routine.

It took Charlotte 3 years to have restful nights. Fortunately (because a healthy lifestyle partly relies on restorative sleep), my partner and I never gave up our good bedtime routine, and it paid off.

I'm far from saying that routine solves all problems. However, in my case, it's the best practice I've found to successfully manage all my activities and reach the end of the week with a list filled with accomplished tasks. It has also helped me realize, overcome, and achieve several wonderful accomplishments. I am proud of the accomplished woman, mother, and professional that I am, and it's partly thanks to my determination and organization.

It is certain that this ease with being organized comes from my mother. It often passes from generation to generation, and it's not innate for everyone. However, with a little effort and determination, anyone can achieve it! There are always tips and tricks to help us (checklists, paper or electronic planners, etc.).

So, before experiencing back-to-school burnout, the best advice I can give you is to gradually resume your routine a few days/weeks before getting back to the daily grind. A healthy diet and good hours of restful sleep, combined with physical exercise or outdoor sports, will ensure that your September won't hit you like a speeding locomotive.

Those are my little tips! And if you have others, I'm always open to hearing them!

Geneviève Asselin-Demers

Active mom

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