Getting back into a school day routine usually takes some intentional planning. The typical family has lots of moving parts in their calendar; work, school, fall sports, dance lessons, piano lessons.
Enjoy Long Evenings
Take advantage of the long days while we still have them. Even though it’s September, the days won’t begin to shorten for several weeks. Here are two possible evening schedules to get in some nice trail walks. Have dinner at a regular time and go for a walk afterward. Alternatively, take a walk after homework time while dinner cooks in a crock or instapot and eat a later dinner. Either one breaks up your late afternoon and evening time between sedentary and active endeavors. I know that once we get back to our school routine, I tend to plop in a chair for extended time except for when I’m doing chores or making dinner. We sit so much more during the school year than summer break!
Get Up and At ‘Em
I know there must be some morning people out there reading this. I am not in your tribe, but I’m married to one of you and he loves an early morning walk. Another way to squeeze in some trail time is to take the weirdos, I mean early risers, in your family and take a little stroll someplace nearby. It can be a walk around the neighborhood or a close trail. Just let the other members of the household wake at their normal time. That’s not a battle you want to fight. Plus you can have special time with just you and your other loved ones that wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Keep It Short
Favor short excursions over long, arduous hikes or bike rides this time of year. I know for us, adjusting to the new routines of the school year with all its added activities, can be exhausting until everyone gets into the swing of it. A nice trail walk or short distance bike ride serves as a needed mental break when kids are back to the books and waking up their brains after weeks of break. But you also don’t want to burn everyone out by keeping the same level of activity for summer plus the beginning of school stuff.
Use Your Commute
Living near enough to your school to walk or bike to and from there is an excellent way to enjoy some outdoor time and get some exercise. Of course, this is only an option if it is safe and the weather permits. An adventurous parent may want to join in to get some movement into their days as well. It could turn into your favorite time of day with your kids.
It’s OK to Just Play Outside
While it’s wonderful to make use of the hiking and biking trails, some days it’s just not going to work out. I know the calendar fills up quickly with everyone’s regular commitments. Before you know it, there are only two or three nights a week when you can make plans to walk, hike, or bike as a family. On the other days, just hang out in your own backyard and soak up the late summer sun while it lasts. Draw with sidewalk chalk, blow bubbles, jump rope, swing on the swings, collect bugs, etc.
Every season has something to make it special. You can enjoy the late evenings on the trail or in your backyard. Take some early morning walks before the day gets going. Use your commute to school to enjoy a walk or bike ride. And plan short intervals on the trail so you don’t lose that time completely to your new schedule.