The French have a handy term: la rentree, which signifies the return to school or work after summer vacation, and more generally, the resumption of routine. This moment is arriving, and soon; my son is back to school next week, and my daughter the week following. As I sift through this handful of final summer days, I am wondering: how can I plan for a smooth transition this year? You strategic Magpies must have lived-in wisdom on this front. Will you share in the comments? How do you ease your family into the school year?
One suggestion I’ve found helpful over the past few rentrees: keep activities and afternoons plans to a minimum during the first week or two of school. The abrupt change in schedule always sends my kids for a loop; they arrive home cranky, tired, overstimulated. It is quite the whipsaw, going from the late mornings and lax routines of the summer to the straight-laced schedule and regimented early rising of school. I have learned to expect meltdowns and regressions during this time, reminding myself that it’s temporary. By late September, everyone is woven snugly into the shape of the school-year. But at the beginning: keep things simple. Early bedtimes, uncluttered afternoons, a little more leniency for the kids to loll around and eat an extra snack and sit (if they will) on your lap, unprovoked by question or comment. I try to fashion myself and our home life into the softest landing possible.
What other things help? Do you have end-of-summer celebrations or rituals? Do you mark the change in time in a meaningful way? How do you help your kids “anticipate” the school year? Do you do “dry run mornings” or countdown cards? Help! Any suggestions welcome.
Post-Scripts.
+How do you handle sibling bickering?
+That time I realized I carry all my daughter’s ages inside.
+If you are sending your youngest off to school this year: I feel for you. Go easy on yourself, friend. That was a milestone I was woefully underprepared for.
+Image via.
Shopping Break.
+Extra 25% off Shopbop’s sale section starting today! A few favorite pieces from the sale assortment: this heart-print top (reminds me of D. Porthault), the Rag + Bone Sofie jeans I was just raving about over the weekend in a cuffed ankle format, the RL bag I keep ogling, a pretty embroidered nightgown.
+Not on sale, but I’m eyeing one of the pairs of Autry sneakers from Shopbop for fall! So many great colors. Love the suede.
+On the sneaker note, though: Tory Burch’s private sale is ongoing and I noticed a bunch of you picked up these chic logo-minimal kicks. (And some of you also snagged this gorgeous mini crossbody.)
+OMG I’m swooning over this sweater. It just leapt to the top of my fall wishlist.
+Back to school finds here and here.
+30% off kids at J. Crew. I just used this promo to buy navy uniform shorts for my son, but found myself adding a few other cute fall finds for the kids to cart: these barn jackets (unisex!), long-sleeved polos (love the green stripe), and cord shorts.
+These brown barrel-leg jeans are just right up my alley. Love the shape and color.
+A birdie told me that Cadets would be running a sale starting today! I wrote recently about how much we adore this brand.
+A fun switch up for your athletic sock routine. These are thinner than Bombas’ running sock, fyi!
+I picked up a few fun activities for my kids during this final week of summer hanging — we have no camps, no plans for them. Lots of grandparent time! A few of the items I grabbed for them: Perler beads in Mario motifs (my son LOVED doing these at camp), rainbow looms, and this letter game. My daughter loves playing “the alphabet game” with me when we’re killing time (doctor’s office, car ride, metro stop) where you go through the alphabet saying: “A my name is [A name], my husband’s name is [A name], we live in [A place], and we like to eat [A food].” I thought the letter game would be a fun riff. They have also been OBSESSED with this cats cradle book! I think I had the exact same one when I was seven or eight. Klutz is the best! How cute is this set?!
+My favorite luxe sweatsuit, in a fab new fall color. These henleys (I own in several colors) are also fantastic alternatives to basic tees.
+These gingham pants reminded me of the much more expensive ones from High Sport.
+I was just looking for some pretty patterned frames for a special project I’m working on and found some great options here, here, here.
+Looks just like Doen’s Henri top, but under $100.
+Babar tee for your little one!
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No activities, simple dinners we know they like, very limited screen time. In the past I’ve thought “oh, an extra episode will help them decompress” but the opposite is true for my kids! This year I am going to try audio books or gentle music as soon as they get home.