How to Get Kids to School Without Getting Overwhelmed!
It's that time of year. Back to school for the kiddos! While this can be a relaxing time of year for many stay at home parents, the morning rush can overwhelm the best of us. Here are some tips for making your mornings go a lot smoother.
Plan Your Outfits in Advance
One of the biggest struggles with kids is figuring out what to wear. Having little ones lay out their clothes the night before eliminates a lot of those outfit mishaps and messes from flying clothes! A tip: If you have a picky little one who likes to be independent, have two outfit choices prepped. Simplified, yet diverse! :)
Make Lunches the Night Before
Prepping lunches the night before saves valuable time in the morning, especially if you tend to run behind like I do! Everyone's lunch can usually be prepared the night before by using simple planning techniques. I like to have a simple rotation of lunches: Homemade Lunchables one day, PB and J the next. I also like to have pre-cut fruits and veggies on hand for easy wash and go lunchbox additions. Another great tip: Prep your coffee pot the night before too. Bonus points for those of us with timers!
Do Chores the Night Before
I don't clean my entire house, but I do make sure to have a moderately clean home before going to bed. This means the dishwasher is loaded or the dishes are done, the clutter is picked up and any spills are wiped. It's so much easier to get through a busy morning when the house looks mostly clean.
Create a Launch Pad
Create a place where you have all of your devices, keys, coats, shoes, etc. Basically, everything you need to get out the door without missing anything! Prep this launch pad the night before you head out to make sure you are equipped to handle whatever comes your way.
Give Everyone a Job
Create a simple morning routine and make sure everyone knows what their role is. Mine looks something like this: Husband gets child number 1 and himself ready, Mom gets child number 2 and herself ready, child number 1 brings bags to the car, child number 2 cleans up after breakfast. By giving everyone a part, things run a lot smoother.What's your biggest struggle in getting out the door in the mornings? Have you adopted a routine to help with this problem?
