This past week was the first week of school and a big adjustment for us. It is funny how a couple months off and get you so out of practice. By the end of the week everything was running smoothly since we all started adapting to our new morning routine. When we got in the car to head to school on Friday I looked at the clock and we were actually leaving 10 minutes earlier than we normally do! Here are some of my tips for making our mornings run a little more smoothly.
#1 Lay out clothes the night before.
This helps me tremendously. Both of my kids (3 & 6) dress themselves and have been doing so for over a year now. When they wake up in the morning the first thing that do it make their beds, get dressed and brush their teeth, not always in that order, but it is usually done before they wander into the kitchen for breakfast.
#2 Pack lunches the night before.
The mornings that I seem to be rushed the most are those that I forgot to pack lunch the night before. Some evenings I am just too tired to do it, but the next morning I curse myself for not doing it. I usually leave things that will go stale or get soggy for morning. I have it ready to be put in the bento or lunch box so I don't forget about it too. Usually on top of the bento in the fridge or out on the counter next to the water bottle I need to fill and put in.
#3 Make breakfast the night before
We do not do much processed foods in this house and having cereal is rarely an option. I usually make a batch of muffins that will last 2-3 days, prep some overnight oats the night before, or make pancakes/waffles over the weekend and reheat them in the morning. Oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and such are also quick and healthy options. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I don't want my kids starting it with a belly full of processed, artificial, nastiness.
#4 Start a routine
The thing that eases our mornings the most is that everyone knows the routine, what they need to be doing and when they need to do it. Ours goes a little like this for the kids:
Wake up, make bed, get dressed, brush teeth, feed/water dog, eat breakfast, clean up, come to me to get hair done, put shoes and socks on, and at this point if we are ahead of schedule they have free time to play (we do not turn the TV on in the morning). When it is time to go, grab backpack, lunch box and head out the door.
#5 Wake up earlier
This one was the hardest for me. I am not a morning person at all. This year I decided to wake up 15 minutes earlier than last year and it has been well worth it. I don't feel rushed and flustered trying to get everything done and out of the door in time. I actually have time to talk to the kids and enjoy their company in the morning instead of being a drill sergeant saying we need to do this, now that, hurry up we are going to be late.
I hope you can use one or all of these tips to ease the morning rush in your household.
What are some things that you do to ease the morning rush?
