A little structure goes a long way. Take away the drama of chaotic mornings and homework struggles with routines. And remember - it's not a routine if you don't stick to it most days!

• Set up a ‘time to go’ area for backpacks, shoes, coats and lunch sacks and have the kids ALWAYS store those items there.
• Decide where the kids will do homework. When homework is done, it goes in the backpack.
• Create a daily school schedule with your kids. Include bedtime and wake up times, set a time to leave the house for school, and schedule blocks of time for homework, music practice and other daily commitments.
• To get back in the rhythm of homework, start reading each day at the designated homework hour.
• Do a dry run of a typical morning and instead of driving to school surprise the kids with a trip to the beach, water park or breakfast.