The morning rush isn’t any fun but luckily there are a few things you
can do to bring peace back into your family’s morning routine by planning ahead. Sounds simple enough but did you know you could actually leave just
about everything ready for the next day? It might take a few extra
minutes out of your evening but you’ll be much faster if you prepare
everything once the kids are asleep rather than rushing in the morning.
1. Lay out the kids clothes for the next day : Include things like hair clips, socks and shoes. And don’t forget to lay out your clothes too.
2. Leave breakfast ready (or nearly ready) : Depending on
what you have for breakfast you can often pre-prepare a lot of it. If
you have pancakes make the batter the night before and stick it in the
fridge. If you have cereal and toast, leave the cereal out, bowls,
spoons and bread. You can even set the table to save time.
3. Pre-Pack Lunch Boxes: If your kids take packed lunch to school prepare it the night before. Most things like sandwitches will be fine left in the fridge overnight.
4. Pack Their School Bags: Look through their bags and
make sure there aren’t any last minute dates or events you’ve
overlooked. Pack all their books and things in their bags and leave
everything by the front door.
5. Make a Chart: If your kids (like most kids) are
forgetful, make a chart for each one which explains in order all the
things they need to do in the morning. You can draw pictures for the
really young ones and write a description for the older ones. For
example, you can have a picture of a toothbrush, then the school
clothes, hair brush, etc.
Talk to your kids about the list beforehand and explain it to them.
Then stick it up in a prominent place in their rooms and the next time
they ask you “mom, what do I do know?” tell them to go look at their
list. This is a great way of getting kids a little more involved and to
start teaching them responsibility.
By preparing ahead you can’t avoid all of your family’s morning
stresses but it will certainly help a lot, and who knows you may even
have time for that extra cup of coffee.
