Finding Your Rhythm Again: Reestablishing Routines in the New Year

(Family Features) The holiday season is special, fun and often a bit chaotic, filled with family gatherings and joyful celebrations. Once the decorations come down and chaos subsides in the new year, many families face a familiar challenge: getting children back into their regular routines. After weeks of excitement, travel and inconsistent schedules, the transition back to structure can feel daunting. However, with a thoughtful approach, parents can help their children ease back into their daily rhythms, and in the process, restore calm for the entire family. Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, provides this insight and guidance for parents. Understand Why Routines Matter Children thrive on predictability. Routines provide a sense of security, reduce stress and support emotional regulation. Children feel safe, even proud, when they know what comes next. Routines also help them develop independence and self-control. After the holidays, reestablishing these patterns is essential for a smooth return to school and everyday life. Start with Sleep For young children, sleep is the foundation of a successful routine. Consistent sleep supports focus, tolerance and cooperation. For optimal brain repair and growth, preschoolers typically need 10-13 hours of sleep per night, but seasonal festivities can disrupt sleep schedules, frequently leaving children overly tired. Begin by gradually adjusting bedtime by moving it earlier in 15-minute increments each night until you resume your regular schedule. Pair this with calming pre-bedtime rituals like reading or quiet play to signal it’s time to wind down. The morning routine is equally important. Strive for consistent wake-up times, even on the weekends. If your child is resistant, teach them how their sleep routine helps their body and mind. For example: “Your body relaxes and grows stronger when you get enough sleep, so you feel good afterward.” Reintroduce Standard Mealtimes Holiday snacking and large meals at family gatherings can disrupt normal eating habits. Reinstate regular meal and snack times to help your child feel grounded. Offer balanced options and involve them in planning or preparing meals, as they’re more likely to embrace healthy choices when they have a role in the process. Prioritize Physical Activity After extended periods of lounging indoors – and likely an overdose of screen time – children need movement to burn energy and boost their moods. Coordinate outdoor play and family walks. If the weather isn’t cooperative, move around indoors with hide-and-seek and dance sessions. Physical activity not only supports health but also helps regulate sleep and behavior. Strategically Provide Choices When children have a voice, they are more likely to stay engaged and stick to their routines. As your child settles back into familiar patterns, this is an ideal moment to assess where you can ease your grip just enough to support their growing autonomy. This doesn’t mean relinquishing full decision-making power; rather, it’s about offering structured, intentional choices that help them feel a sense of control over their day. You know your child best, so you can determine when to be flexible. For example, it may not matter if they change into their pajamas right after dinner or just before bed but shifting when they go to the bathroom could completely disrupt their routine and, in turn, your day. Model Behavior Children learn by example and they are always watching their parents. If you reestablish and consistently maintain your own routines – healthy meals, quality sleep and physical activity among them – your child is more likely to follow suit. Make it a family effort rather than a set of rules imposed on them, and make it fun. To help routines stick, consider sticker charts to track progress and incentivize independence and accountability. Resetting routines isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a supportive environment where children feel secure and prepared for what’s ahead. With patience, consistency and a positive attitude, you can help your child start the new year on the right foot. For more parenting guidance and insights, including a blog and webinar series, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com.   Photos courtesy of Shutterstock SOURCE: https://stmdailynews.com/why-i-never-gave-my-small-dog-rawhide-chews-a-pet-parents-perspective/

Preparing Students for What’s Next in Work

(Family Features) Automation, AI and societal economic changes are affecting the workforce and making a significant impact on the employment prospects of future generations. More than one-third of today’s college graduates are “underemployed,” meaning they work jobs that don’t require a college degree and may pay less than a living wage, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. At the same time, a World Economic Forum report explored how advances in AI are threatening to negatively impact access to entry-level and even mid-level jobs for millions of Americans. Looking ahead, research by Georgetown University indicates that by 2031, 70% of jobs will require education or training beyond high school. However, data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicate only one-third of high school graduates go on to complete a college degree with many of those being in fields that are not in high-earning, high-growth professions. These challenges are not lost on today’s students. In a survey by Junior Achievement and Citizens, 57% of teens reported AI has negatively impacted their career outlook, raising concerns about job replacement and the need for new skills. What’s more, a strong majority (87%) expect to earn extra income through side hustles, gig work or social media content creation. “To put students on the path toward greater earning potential and economic mobility in a rapidly changing economy, students need proactive education and exposure to transferable skills and competencies, such as creative and critical thinking, financial literacy, problem-solving, collaboration and career planning,” said Jack Harris, CEO, Junior Achievement. This assertion is consistent with findings from the Camber Collective. This social impact consulting group identified four key life experiences students can consider and explore that positively affect lifetime earnings, including:

• Completing secondary education
• Graduating with a degree in a high-paying field of study
• Receiving mentorship during adolescence
• Obtaining a first full-time job with opportunity for advancement

Students aiming to equip themselves with the skills and experience necessary for the future workforce can seek:

• Learning opportunities that are designed with the future in mind. For example, learning experiences offered through Junior Achievement reflect the skills and competencies needed to promote economic mobility.

• Internships or apprenticeships that provide hands-on experience and exposure to a career field that can’t be found in a textbook.

• Volunteer or extracurricular roles that develop communication and leadership skills. Virtually every career field requires these soft skills for growth and greater earning potential.

• Relationships that provide insight and connection. Networking with individuals who are already excelling in a chosen field, as well as peers who share similar aspirations, offers perspective from those who are where you wish to be and potentially opens future doors for employment.

• Courses that offer introductory insight into a chosen career path. Local trade or technical schools and other training organizations may even offer certifications that align with a student’s area of interest.

To learn more about how students can pursue education for what’s next, visit JA.org. SOURCE:

Last Updated on January 6, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Easy Ideas for Post-Holiday Organizing

(Family Features) After the last present has been gifted and guests have said their farewells, it’s tempting to settle in for some rest to recuperate from the hectic pace of the holidays. However, if you take time to tidy up after all those good tidings, you can relax with a free conscience. One especially daunting aspect of post-holiday cleanup is the wrapping supplies and decor. Consider these tips to stash your holiday goodies safely away until next year:

• Take inventory of your wrapping supplies. Note how many boxes, bags and rolls of paper you have. Affix a note to the container where you store these items to give yourself an idea of what you’ll need so you can start stocking up early for anything you depleted this year.

• Invest in a gift wrap storage container. They come in many shapes and sizes ranging from hard plastic bins that resemble trash cans to soft-sided bags with zippers and plenty of pockets inside. Look for a model that allows for storing the wrapping materials you favor, be it bags, bows or simply paper. After the holidays, many of these items are steeply discounted, providing an opportunity to stock up for next year.

• For your decor, get organized by grouping similar items or collecting all the pieces for a single room. Packing things away with a system in mind can make bringing it all out next year easier and protect your treasured decorations. Remember to label your storage boxes so you know which box contains what next year.

Once you’re done, reward yourself with a cup of hot cocoa and curl up with a new book or movie while enjoying a relaxing end to the merriest of seasons. Find more tips for managing the holiday season at eLivingtoday.com.   Photo courtesy of Unsplash   SOURCE: Family Features

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