Our exhaustive guide will help you make every school day run as smoothly possible.

“Three to five minutes of breath work or meditation in the morning can be the difference between a stressful school transport and an easy one—no matter how the kids behave.” 

- Renée Zavislak, M.S., M.A

“Waking your child up gently and allowing them a few minutes to transition from sleep to wakefulness can set a positive tone for the day.” 

- Dr. Brittany Steindl, doctor of Physical Therapy

“I like to be woken up with motivation. For example, if there is something fun happening that day, I usually get up right away.” 

- Eloise, 12

What makes a good day? “Candy and swimming.” 

- Genevieve, 8

“A great morning starts with the girls waking up happy and energized. If we can get through breakfast with smiles and maybe even a little dance session, I know the day is off to a fantastic start.” 

- Joseph Tito, @thedaddiaries.ca, father of five-year-old twins

What’s a sign that your day will be great? “Random dance parties or our 10-year-old scrambles eggs for us.” 

- Cindy Marie Jenkins, mom of a 7-year-old and 10-year-old

“Parents who get stressed over lateness only add to their kids’ school anxiety, which will only perpetuate resistance in the morning.” 

- Renée Zavislak, M.S., M.A, licensed family therapist

“A good teacher is kind and accepts your ideas.” 

- Edie, 9 (and a half)

“I believe a successful school day happens when every student feels successful in one aspect of every day; that they feel seen and valued in the classroom.” 

- Adrienne Gear, teacher and literacy consultant, Reading Power Gear, ltd.

“Talk to your kids. Read to your kids. Build a sandcastle or make a mudpie with your kids…Provide your children with a wealth of simple, everyday experiences that build their self-confidence and help them experience small memory moments that they can bring into the classroom.” 

- Adrienne Gear, teacher and literacy consultant

“Involve your child in packing their lunch. I often see students open their lunch bags and slump in their chairs in disappointment. Those are the lunches that get picked over or thrown out.” 

- Nicole Brown, teacher-librarian, Brampton, Ontario

“Often kids don’t have more than about six or seven minutes to actually consume their lunch at school, which sounds wild but it's true.” 

- Nishta Saxena, registered dietitian

“As much as possible we try to do the same things at the same times each day. As a teacher and parenting coach, I know that kids thrive when they have structure and routine so we try to provide that as much as possible."

- Lauren Tingley, mom of two, elementary school teacher and Certified Discipline and Guidance Coach

“Home is a safe zone, therefore, all the emotions and the less-socially-accepted side can come out without fear of being judged.” 

- Kathryn Ross, mom and teacher in Toronto

“It's okay if your child has a large and robust after-school snack and a smaller dinner.” 

- Nishta Saxena, registered dietician and pediatric and family nutritionist

“We get homework done asap. It’s better to just get it out of the way. Yes, he’s a bit tired from school, so we still chill out for an hour or so after school. But before TV or video games, we get homework done.” 

- Jenn Cox, mom of an 11-year-old

“What makes doing homework easier? Having no homework.” 

- Cameron, 11

“Most school nights we sit together, although I wouldn't say the kids sit down the whole meal, so sometimes we do Mad Libs to keep them at the table.” 

- Cindy Marie Jenkins, mom of a 7-year-old and 10-year-old

"Try to create a nice ambience. Put on music, light a candle in the middle of the table. Simple touches can go a long way to making mealtime feel like a nice experience instead of a chore.” 

- Nishta Saxena, registered dietician and pediatric and family nutritionist

"After a long day of parenting, facing a 45-minute bedtime routine is brutal."

- Renée Zavislak, M.S., M.A, licensed family therapist

"By creating a predictable and sensory-friendly bedtime routine, parents can help their children settle down more easily and get a good night's sleep."

- Dr. Brittany Steindl, doctor of Physical Therapy

"What makes me excited for tomorrow? Going on a field trip!"

- Mila, 7

 "I promise that an early bedtime without technology will be life-changing. When your child can wake up on time, feeling rested, it will completely transform your mornings."

- Lauren Tingley, mom of two, elementary school teacher and Certified Discipline and Guidance Coach

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