Finding Rhythm in the Return to School
As the summer holidays draw to a close, many parents face the annual challenge of readjusting to school routines. Hazel Buckley, a mother of three and owner of The Yoga Tree, understands this struggle well.”Every year I try to shift bedtime earlier,but it never quite works,” she admits,”and honestly,the routine re-establishes itself quickly enough.” This year brings an added change for the Buckley family, as her eldest child begins secondary school, introducing a new family dynamic.
Hazel has been using the final weeks of summer to proactively organize and simplify life. A important part of this summer was spent in West Cork, where the family has a summer home. Hazel felt lucky to teach yoga on Barleycove Beach, describing it as “one of the most stunning places in the world.” While being self-employed presents it’s challenges,she prioritizes balancing work with family time.
“I aim for a slightly quieter work schedule during the summer to fully enjoy it with the kids – Tadhg, 13, Daisy, 11, and Bobby, 7 - but I also use the time to plan and develop content for my yoga app,” she explains. The reality is a constant juggle, with work often happening early or late in the day, leaving the rest of the time for “beach swims, ice creams, and general chaos!”
Hazel acknowledges the demands of family life, notably with her husband frequently travelling for work. “Life is chaotic, and the house can be a mess. But I’m doing my best,and I think it’s important not to be too critical of ourselves. Will anyone remember a perfectly tidy house? or will they cherish the memories we made?”
To ease the transition back to school, Hazel relies on established routines. She utilizes home delivery grocery services and plans weekly dinners, even allowing her children to choose the first meal back to foster excitement. Readiness the night before is key,particularly tackling the common morning struggle of matching socks. Understanding each child’s individual pace is also crucial; she wakes her slowest child first and, when possible, the family walks their dog, Noodle, the 40 minutes to school. “We chat, address any worries, and everyone arrives in a better mood,” she says.
Drawing on her expertise as a yoga instructor, Hazel emphasizes the power of mindful breathing to manage back-to-school anxieties.”Slowing down the breath is incredibly helpful, for both kids and parents. Focusing on a longer exhale - inhaling for four counts and exhaling for six – can be calming. For children, I make it playful, like blowing out a candle.”
Ultimately, Hazel prioritizes self-care. ”I schedule ‘me time’ directly into my Google Calendar – whether it’s a walk, a yoga class, or coffee with a friend, it’s non-negotiable. A calmer mum is a better mum.”
