Tips For Making Mornings Run Smoothly

Having your kids go back to school is a long period of adjustment. One may think it lasts a week but for me it lasts at least a month or two.  I need time to get back in the swing of getting afternoon snacks in the backpack and lunches made.  I tend to forget about what day is PE and what days are free dress days.  For me, back to school exhaustion lasts almost until the end of October.

I work full time outside of the home and when I get two kids ready daycare and school, I tend to forget one thing for myself.  Just recently I have forgotten make-up (the whole face) and another day I did not put deodorant on.  Another day I forgot my cell phone and later that same week I left my debit card on the counter and without cash was lunch less for the day.

Now that school has been in session for almost a month, here are my sure fire tips for  getting families ready in the morning for school and work.

Evening Catch Up

Make the most out of the evening before to prepare for the next day.  If you pack your child’s lunch, then pack it the night before and store in the refrigerator for an easy grab in the morning.  Also pack your child’s backpack so that it is ready to go.  When possible, place the next day’s clothes somewhere accessible so that it is easy to locate in the morning.

Grab and Go Snacks

Fall is a great time for deals on snacks at the grocery store.  Use a canister to store snacks that are easy for grab’n’ go.  If there are activities after school then you can grab a snack for the car.  It is more cost effective and a better source of your time to have a snack ready instead of having to stop on the way.

Homework Share

Develop a plan with your spouse and take turns being in charge of homework.  While one of you cooks dinner the other can be helping with homework and reviewing items the teacher sends home.

Traditional Family Dinners

Plan on having traditional family dinners where you all sit down at the table.  It is very important to cherish the time you have with your children and what better way then to while sitting down at dinner.  Ask them about their day and what they are learning about in school.  Discuss family plans but also make sure to laugh and enjoy each other.  When they are at school there is so much time that is away from you and if you start early talking to your children hopefully that will expand to later years when it is even more important for them to be open.

Regroup

After all is said and done and the kids are in bed and ready for the day do not forget about you.  Having yourself ready is a very important element to getting their day and your day off to a good start.  Think about your clothes and what you will need to have ready for the next day.  Put items back in your purse that may have been taken out like your cell phone, check book or car keys.  Pack yourself a lunch or put an apple next to your purse to take with you.  Review the family calendar for after school activities or appointments that could alter your schedule the next day.  And most importantly, set your alarm clock before you go to bed.

All of these tips will help to reduce frantic mornings and forgotten items.   But there will be mornings when the clothes are still drying in the dryer or your send your spouse out to grab the bread you forgot to pick up on your lunch break the day before.  Another day with come and go and you will be one day closer to the weekend.  And we all know that the weekend is really code for “catch up”.