No matter what time your child goes to bed, they always seems to be running late in the morning. If that sounds familiar, here are some tips on how to get ready for school in a quick, stress-free way:
- Choose Clothing the Night Before
There’s nothing worse than hearing the bus in the distance while your child is scrambling to find his sweatshirt. You should pick out every single item of clothing, from his shirt down to his socks, in advance. And make sure to check the weather forecast when doing so! - Designate One Place for Clothes
Once you prepare an outfit, you should put it in a designated place. That way, when morning hits, your child will know exactly where to go to find her clothes for the day. - Keep Shoes Organized
You can waste a lot of time in the mornings by trying to sort through mismatched and disorganized footwear. To avoid this, you should have a designated shoe bin for each of your kids, which should be kept close to the front door. You can also have your kids keep their shoes with the clothing they will be wearing the next day, so that everything is all in one place. - Make Sure That Your Kids Complete Their Homework Before They Go to Bed
Don’t fall for the “I’ll do it in the morning” line. Mornings are hectic enough before you add schoolwork into the mix. No kid does quality work while trying to race out the door. - Make Lunches the Night Before
This is a no-brainer, but the more you can do the night before, the better. Make sandwiches, pour drinks, prep snacks and keep everything in the fridge or a designated spot so you, or your kids, can grab them easily and get out the door on time. - Keep Backpacks Fully Stocked
You can also prepare your kids’ backpacks the night before. Make sure that homework, supplies and permissions slips are all safely tucked away. And place backpacks next to the door so your kids can grab them quickly on their way out! - Organize Your Own Items
You can be a good model for your kids by making sure that everything is in place on your end. To keep things running smoothly, you should organize all the items your family uses in the mornings in advance. - Have Your Kids Shower at Night
Bathing the night before can save your kids a lot of time in the morning. - Set Alarms 15 Minutes Early
Having a few extra minutes can ease stress levels for everyone. - Invest in a Light Alarm
Some kids have a really hard time waking up. It might help to get an alarm that uses light along with sound. These alarms mimic the sunrise, which helps ease kids awake. - Ban TV in the Mornings
Your kids will be able to get out the door faster if they are free from distractions. - Set a Timer
If your kids have a real issue staying on target, you should set a kitchen timer in the morning. This can give them an idea of how long they have to dress, eat and brush their teeth. - Simplify Breakfast
Busy school mornings are usually not the time to have an elaborate egg and bacon breakfast. Choose healthy and quick options that are packed with protein. - Use Weekends to Plan
Use the weekend to catch up on laundry and stock up on your school lunch supplies. The weekend is also a good time to ask your kids if they have any upcoming projects. No one wants to hear that a kid needs a poster board 20 minutes before they leave for school! - Cross-Check Everything the Night Before
It can’t hurt to double-check that everything you and your kids will need in the morning is laid out properly, especially if your little ones took the initiative to prepare their outfits and supplies themselves. This way you can rest easy knowing that there won’t be any big surprises in the morning.
