Mornings before school can be chaotic! But Since we implemented a school morning routine they have run smoother. Check out our morning routine ideas!
Morning Routine Ideas to Get You Out the Door for School On Time
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Is it just me, or does the hype of getting up and getting ready for school wear off really fast at the beginning of the school year? It seems to be a shorter and shorter amount of time that the excitement stays around as your kids get older. When you are trying to get your kids out to the bus on time and getting lunches prepared, things can get a little crazy! I’m not going to say that I have it all together because I definitely do NOT! But I will share with you the morning routine ideas that work in our home!
Preparation is Key!
I could probably say prepare three times over and it wouldn’t be enough! Seriously though…Prepare everything for the next day the night before. We pick out everyone’s clothes and lay them out so there isn’t any kind of fuss with what to wear. Find shoes. I know, it seems obvious enough, right? But I would say that shoes are always the part of the outfit that disappears. So save yourself some gray hair and find them the night before. Get backpacks put together and set out. Make lunches so that you aren’t scrambling trying to think of something to throw together at the last second. Have specific places where things go.
I have breakfast planned out and ready really reduces the rush for me. I like to have frozen waffles or pancakes my kids can throw into the toaster. We are also big fans of oatmeal with fruit or smoothies. Anything that doesn’t require me to cook is really the goal.
Organization really is the key to a smooth morning routine. Be an example to your kids and do it for yourself so they want to do it too!
Delegate
Moms do not have to do all of the above tasks alone. Involve your kids and have them help out. Have them make their own sandwich and have a system with other things they can include in their lunches so that they can do it themselves. It may seem time-consuming in the teaching stages, but it totally pays off!
Make a checklist for backpacks and let them be responsible for making sure everything is in there. It isn’t Mom’s job to be double and triple checking things.
Creating a chart system so your child knows what to do next on their list of to-do’s takes the load off big time! The chart can have pictures and be whatever works for your family, however simple or complex. It is simply a system that lets your kids know they need to make their beds, get dressed, eat, brush their teeth, do their hair, and so on. Make it work for you!
Something to make it fun for us since I have little kids is playing music that goes with what they are doing. Lately, we have really been into The Greatest Showman soundtrack. We start out with the fun upbeat beginning music to get everyone up and out of bed and going and then each song has certain tasks they need to have done by the time the song is over. Fun and easy!
Take a Moment for Connection
Sometimes it can be easy to get in the rut of rushing and simply getting out the door, but we are all human and have a need to connect with others, especially our family members and those that we really care for. Plan time in the morning to offer your kids a little bit of special time. An extra hug or cuddle can make a huge difference in how your day plays out.
For us, we wake up early so that when everything and everyone is all ready to go, we can sit down and have a chat, read some books, or ride scooters on the driveway. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It’s just quality time!
Stay Calm
If there is one thing I know for sure in my house, it’s that when I start to get anxious and frustrated, my kids move like snails and have no desire to do what I want or need them to do. Being prepared and organized really helps with staying calm and helping kids become self-sufficient. Rushing is stressful! Avoid stressful triggers and keep the peace!
And there you have it! Four simple morning routine ideas that will make your mornings splendid!
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