Fall 2026: Back to School
Back to Work, Too
It’s a busy time here at Dr. Rachel Greenbaum & Associates! Our psychologists and team are in full swing supporting children and families as they make their way back to school. Whether it’s a quick check-in, a handful of sessions aimed at developing a blueprint for success in the 2026-2027 school year, or ongoing support, we are here to help you address challenges and maximize potential. In the meantime, here are some thoughts and suggestions as you settle into the school year routine.
Sleep Schedules
Kids and adults have to adjust their sleep schedules for those earlier wake-ups. But children and adolscents are particularly vulnerable to everything from mood swings to inattention if they aren’t getting enough rest. If kids have become used to later bedtimes, you don’t have to shift their timing all at once. Try fifteen minute shifts in bedtime over a month or two until they are going to bed and able to fall alseep early enough to get a reasonable rest. Here are some resources for further reading:
How much sleep does my kid need?
Tips for children and teens to get a good night’s sleep
Homework and Screentimes
Phones and screentime can quickly come to take up much of the after school and nighttime routine. Setting reasonable limits on screentime is a must, both for kids and adults. For homework completion, children often do need to go online. Ideally you will have a separate laptop or computer they can use to do their work. It’s important to have phones out of view and turned off when it’s homework time. Meanwhile, keep the homework computer game and social media free. Here are some tips for limiting screentime and helping kids maximize at-home learning:
Help for the homework resistant
Six ways to improve at home learning
Helping them do the homework isn’t doing it for them
Help for setting screentime limits
Make Family Time Routine
It might not sound that important, but one of the best things your family can do during the week is try to have as many meals together as possible, especially dinner time. This is a terffific opportunity to just relax with each other. Check in, talk about what happened in everyone’s day, enjoy each other’s company. This is when the family comes together in a more lighthearted way. The meal doesn’t have to be homecooked, as long as everyone is enjoying it together. Tip: turn phones off for dinner, with parents and other adults leading the way. Here are some other ideas for establishing routines and family time, even during the busy weekdays:
Establishing routines, ages 0-6