Well its here, the long autumn term – complete with cold mornings and dark afternoons. We had the joy of an early half term break which makes our second half term a massive 8 weeks long! It’s ok though, we’ll get through and I thought I’d share 10 of our survival tips to get us to Christmas. We’ve been working with Hasbro toys, trying to make the Long Autumn Term a little easier – As a thank you, they have sent Tara a bag of goodies to see us through! (See the end of the post for details)
1. Take it easy
There’s no denying this is a busy term but we try to keep at least one night relatively free per week. At the very least we try to get the youngest 2 settled and snug at home early one weeknight. I’ve even been known to get in bed before midnight myself – People who know me will realise this is VERY rare!
2. Keep Sunday nights school free
There’s no getting away from homework but we do our best to get it done on a Saturday or early Sunday. This also applies to uniforms – They have no place in our house on a Sunday night. I’ll never be one of those mothers that religiously has the week’s uniforms ready at the start of the week but I often get Mondays ready on a Friday afternoon. Sunday nights are for cosy meals, Strictly results and relaxing (The girls go swimming on Sunday afternoons so showers are also done early).
3. Make packed lunches interesting
We deviate from sandwiches quite often during the autumn term –
Pizzas, Pasta Dishes & Picnic potatoes make packed lunches so much more interesting. I sometimes include a little note in Tara’s box too – Telling her how amazing she is, how proud we are of her or what he have planned that evening. She loves it!
4. Homely meals
We’ve started how we mean to go on this week with plenty of comfort food. I’ve talked several times before about how strong the correlation between good comfort food and our kids’ behaviour is. This week already, we’ve had Homemade Chicken Pie. Homemade Fish Pie & a huge Hotpot. All meals that we know the girls look forward to eating.
5. Eat together
There will be fall outs during this long term. There will be worries over Christmas performances. There will be niggles and too much to do. We do find that by sharing them over the table, they don’t seem quite as bad though. Not meaning to sound like we have the perfect family – We struggle to get mealtimes eating together like most families. We argue (a lot!). Not everyone eats everything that’s put in front of them. But we try … and sometimes it helps.
6. No pressure
If they don’t want to go to an event, then they don’t have to. This week Tara didn’t want to go to either Beavers or the school disco and we didn’t try to persuade her. She knew she was tired and just wanted to snuggle up in the lounge, playing with her toys and watching Bake Off.
7. Evening routines
We get the hot chocolate out. We read new books so have plenty of library trips and we have baths with plenty of bubbles. Simple and relaxing.
8. Make bedtime inviting
Autumn for us means new bedding and best of all new pillows. This year has also seen Tara get a new duvet which she LOVES! It does mean mornings are slightly harder as she doesn’t want to get out of this super cosy bed though which leads me onto …
9. Mornings start earlier
For this half term (and probably the one after Christmas) we start the process of waking the girls 15 minutes earlier. They don’t get up straightaway so have 10 minutes of lying half conscious – Saves so many arguments and rushing around when they should have left the house 10 minutes ago!
10. Little treats
Its not all about throwing money and treats at the kids, after Christmas is around the corner and my girls are fortunate to receive plenty of presents from the Big Red Guy. Occasional treats, like custom baseball jerseys for older children can help during a busy week or a day thats filled with wet PE lessons and plenty of homework. Tara got some essentials in a school survival pack to make her long autumn term that much sweeter. Safe to say she adores her blue personalised backpacks (other colours available) I’m almost certain the teacher loves it too as it’s easy to spot in the cloakroom.
Tara also loves her personalised pencil case and notebook – She is allowed to bring her own stationery in for the first time this term so perfect timing. Tara also received a selection of mini toys: Yellies (Super cute and run when you yell at them – Apologies to everyone who heard her in the Premier Inn we were in!), Mini My Little Pony, Lock Stars (kept her entertained for hours) and a rather strange Lost Kitties box (Your kids will love the feel of the goo inside!)
So there’s our tips – How do you get through the long autumn term? Best of luck to you and your little ones (or even big ones!)
This is not a paid post – All 10 tips are our thoughts.
Some great tips here! I especially agree with keeping to a routine – I think this is so important in everyday life! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, and enjoy your weekend.
Her back back is cute and simple. I look for simple at this time of year. My grandchildren, just like their parents before them seem to have their beginning of school back packs dirty and raggedy looking by Christmas. Its a nice way to replenish items.
Great tips! Even though I don’t have a kid yet. I think your tips are awesome. Kids are not easy to handle, that I know from my nephew. Your tips are great.
Great advice there! It can be all too easy to burn ourselves out during a long school term!
These ideas seem really great. I think it’s all down to melancholy. If you try and work out what the special attraction of autumn is, I think that, ultimately, you come up with a mood.
You definitely have to make it fun and exciting. I agree with the no homework on Sundays. It’s all about family and enjoying that quality time together.
Yes, I think you have to take it a bit easy as the nights draw in, otherwise it all feels like a drag. I hope Tara enjoys her treats. mich x
I think keeping weekends as school-free as possible is such good advice, then you can all really relax
Super nice and helpful tips and the stationery looks adorable!
I’m dreading this term to be honest, it feels far too long! We love the Lost Kitties – so cute and collectible.
These are some great tips. I am dreading this half term, so much going on and to do!
We are definitely trying to take it easier as it’s very tiring for my son who just started reception class.
Making bedtime a comfortable routine helps the little ones relax easier and automatically each night. These are some pretty stellar tips!
These are some awesome tips. I definitely find bedtime much more inviting for all of us in Autumn! The nice cool evenings and the really comfortable bundling up in bed!
Great tips, keeping Sunday nights school free is a hassle in our homes. Projects, last minutes homeworks always end up done on Sunday evenings. Have to work on getting it done on Saturday instead.
i love all these tips! right now is a crazy time for us, so i’ll def be using these
Can’t go wrong with hot chocolate. It works for children AND adults. Autumn is a great season if you know how to do it right.
Great tips!!! This is definitely the time of year I like to make all the homey meals! I’m all about the crockpot and comfort food
Some great tips though! I agree with the 6th one: take it easy! 🙂
I think it’s a great rule to make Sunday’s school free. It’s so important to have some down time as a family.
These are all fabulous tips and routine is top on my list for sure. Kids love structure regardless of what you may think and it is the perfect way to set them up for adulthood.
What a great set of tips and advice. I love this time of the year, snuggling up and having home made food. We watch so many films in our family at this time of the year xxx
OH wow, your house sounds wonderfully relaxed and organised, and I love your packed lunch ideas! I like to make soup too, sometimes, for them, sending it to school in a flask for a hot lunch. It’s the little things, right?
Oh my goodness this term seems so long! I try to keep things as relaxed as possible in the evenings as the children are just so tired and make sure they have a good meal to power their bodies and brains
These are some really great tips! I do find this term to be long so taking it easy and keeping Sundays school free and chilling out a bit more is the perfect way to make it less stressful
Laura x
This looks amazing! Thanks so much for info! @momalwaysknows
I love all of these tips. I especially love the one about dinners together. That is so incredibly important to do as a family. Also the no school work on Sundays can be tough but also are very important.