REGINA — This week marks the true return to normal for thousands of Saskatchewan households, as parents head back to work and kids settle into classrooms after the holiday break. The shift from late mornings to packed schedules is never smooth, but it’s one families know well.
Watch the video to hear how Regina parents are handling the return and the practical tips they’re using to make this week work.
Parents say the emotional split is clear. Kids are excited to reconnect with friends, even if schoolwork isn’t top of the list. “They were happy to get back to school to see their friends,” said Regina parent Kevin Capewell. “Not super excited to get back to the classwork though.”
The holiday stretch offered a rare pause from routine, filled with winter activities and unstructured time together. Capewell said the break at home came without stress. “It was great having them home for the holidays. They spent lots of time with their friends hanging out, playing video games, enjoyed going tobogganing and skating and going to the movies. No difficulties having them home.”
Now, families are feeling the snap back to reality. Early mornings, tighter timelines, and the mental reset that comes with January. Some parents say coordination is key. Capewell and his wife planned their return carefully. “My wife and I took the same days off as the kids had from school so we all went back to work and school on the same day. It was tough going back but it’s nice to be back in the routine.”
Across Regina, parents shared similar strategies to make the transition easier: easing kids back into bedtime before school starts, preparing bags and lunches the night before, and keeping mornings calm and predictable. Many said reassurance matters just as much as structure.
As the first full workweek unfolds, the city is finding its rhythm again. The holidays are behind us, routines are back in place, and families are pushing forward together.
