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One minute it’s the Labor Day Holiday and you’re at the shore. The next minute, summer is over and it’s back to business. Schedules, deadlines, alarm clocks, bedtimes, homework…nagging!!! Getting your children back into a routine can be challenging. Bedtime became extended during the summer and now its time to jolt into an "early to bed, early to rise" routine literally overnight. Here are some survival tips:

• In many cases, it is difficult for children to wind down at night, especially when they are used to a later bedtime. Try to stick to a routine and time schedule every evening. Decline invitations that will cause you to have to adjust their bedtime. Encourage an environment that is relaxing and peaceful. Have them read, or read to them or try other calming activities. After a few mornings of getting up at the crack of dawn, their bedtime will begin to adjust automatically.

• Do as many preparations as possible the night before. Lay clothing out, pack lunches, take baths, prepare backpacks and any items they need to take with them for the day.

• Tired of nagging all morning long to get the children dressed and out the door? Try developing a checklist of what needs to be done in the morning that includes a list of tasks with a "check-off" box next to it. Most children enjoy checking off the boxes and completing each task. In this way, the list becomes the boss instead of you and prevents you from constantly having to nag and bark out orders.

• Limit television watching in the morning if possible. It is easy for children to become distracted and absorbed. Keep the focus on the task list.

Most importantly, hang in there. In a few weeks it will all be old hat again and everyone will be in the swing of things. We can only hope.

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