The return of schedules: How parents can make the most of back-to-school energy

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “So many times,” Howell says, “I’ll be on a radio interview that’s live and my kids are banging on the door asking for string cheese.” Howell isn’t wishing her final weeks of summer away, but she’s eagerly anticipating the moment when classes begin and her kids are occupied all day on a predictable schedule. So it's been quite a balance.” START MAKING THE SHIFT Howell, of Long Island, has this advice for parents: Give yourself patience about the things you couldn’t get done with kids around the house. Like Cole, branding consultant Ginny Olson is already getting her two sons, ages 10 and 8, on a solid sleep schedule with help from her homemade “no-fuss bedtime chart.” It’s a simple system: “If they are in bed by 8 and they read until 8:30, I will give them each a quarter,” Olson says. “I’m kind of reinforcing that this is just how our family shows up – whether it’s summertime or school time – so that when school time does come, it’s going to be easy.” SET BOUNDARIES, GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK Martinez doesn't have charts but she does try to set clear boundaries around her work hours.