Beginning the school year can be stressful for kids and parents alike. School mornings can be challenging. In fact, one of the most stressful parts about starting a brand-new school year is getting out the door each morning on time, especially when there are still so many things left to do before heading off to class, like cooking breakfast or packing lunches.
Getting everyone fed, set to go, dressed, and out that door in one piece often takes hours! But don’t worry. This article has some ideas for ways you can get them all where they need to be with less hassle tomorrow morning than ever before. There are bound to be mornings where your kids can’t seem to get themselves out the door. You might feel like it’s happening every day, but with these strategies for back-to-school morning success, we’ll show you how easy school mornings can become again.
Get Up Early
I know it can be tough to spend some time alone in the morning, but setting your alarm 1 hour before your children are scheduled to wake up and taking this extra time for yourself is essential. This time alone will provide you a little breather from the chaos that comes with getting everyone ready and having to clean up thrown food off your white kitchen cabinet doors! Use this quiet moment just as I do—whether it’s enjoying coffee or breakfast on my own, whatever works best for you. Take these moments of me-time when they come because being centered goes such a long way into helping us get through our days.
And if you’re not into relaxing, there are still ways to improve your morning routine. For example, use the time to get yourself established for the day so that when your kids wake up in the morning and begin asking about their lunches or what they’ve forgotten at school, you can quickly answer them without having any distractions from getting ready.
Organize Yourself
Back to school time is around the corner. Do you want to be scrambling for supplies just before it starts, or would you rather have your back-to-school items in one spot, ready and waiting for whenever they are needed? A well-organized space will help keep your kids focused when starting a new year of classes. Create an accessible access area by clearing off a desk or table where everything can be stored together: binders, pens/pencils, journals, and folders should all go there so that no matter who needs something from this pile first thing in the morning (or anytime), they’ll find what’s required at their fingertips.
Get Enough Sleep
A stress-free morning begins the night before by making certain everyone in your household gets enough sleep. There’s nothing that will put the brakes on a morning like an exhausted and cranky kid. And not only does getting more rest make them happier as they become ready for school, but it also helps you relax at work because no one can be inspired to learn when their mind is foggy from lack of sleep.
Sleep is essential to a child’s health and well-being. A scheduled bedtime ensures that children get the required rest they need each night, while school day sleep schedules can vary depending on age. School-age children typically require 10 or 11 hours of sleep per 24 hour period, so if your kid wakes up at 7 a.m. for their first class, then you’ll want them to be asleep by 8 p.m. every evening, at least the younger children.
Prepare Yourself
You’re the one who gets up early to make breakfast, packs lunch and gets everyone ready for school. But there are numerous elements you can do before bed that will help your morning go much smoother. Set out clothes so they’ll be easy to find in the mornings, start cooking breakfast, or at least prepping it if needed because once everything else is done, getting kids dressed and brushing teeth, it might not seem like enough time left over. This way, when everybody wakes up hungry from their sleep, breakfast should already be waiting!
Get your days off to a fabulous start by making the most of evenings. Pack lunches and put them in the refrigerator, design everyone’s school outfits for tomorrow morning, and prepare make-ahead breakfasts that the kids can eat on their way to school. Hang up necessary items near your door so they’re easy to grab as soon as someone is ready to step outside.