Four ways to have stress-free mornings

As we attempt to get organized for back to school, I’m sure many of us parents are thinking about routines. What time do we drop off each kid? Does school start at the same time? How are they getting home on Wednesdays? Am I supposed to meal plan for dinners? Hot or cold lunch? And what about clothes? Does anything actually fit? 

Slow down and breathe, parents. Here are a few tips to encourage you as you prepare for another school year. We can all think of a time when mornings seemed to go a little smoother on school days. What helped? 

1. The Night Before

Have everything set out for the morning. Lay kids’ outfits out (and yours), including socks and shoes. Check the weather. Put a hoody in your kids’ backpacks. Sometimes classrooms get chilly throughout the day. Have school supplies, homework, papers to return to school, lunch money or lunches packed in the fridge, water bottles, and snacks all packed and ready to go in your children’s backpacks.

2. Wake Up! (10 minutes earlier)

If you have kids who really struggle to get out of bed, try stirring them at least 10 minutes earlier. This gives them a little bit of extra time to face the day. Make it an event with a cheesy song, having the dog join in on the “wake-up committee,” and remind them of the yummy breakfast that awaits them (even if it’s just a granola bar). 

3. Make a Checklist.

Kids love checklists. It’s something tangible that can help them remember what’s next. If you keep saying, “Put your shoes on,” over and over, they're probably hearing Charlie Brown’s teacher talking. Post a simple checklist in a plastic sleeve. This can be hung in the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom. Make sure it’s eye-level for your kids, and allow them to choose a color of dry erase marker. After each item is completed, they put a checkmark next to it. 

___Eat breakfast.

___Brush teeth. 

___Get dressed. 

___Brush hair. 

___Get backpack. 

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or complicated. If they’re too young to read, find images to put next to each item. This is a great visual for kids as they learn how a routine works. 

3. Play List.

Have your kids help you create a get-ready-in-the-morning playlist. As each song changes, they should be onto the next task on their checklist. If they’re dawdling by dancing in the mirror, hearing the next song may be the nudge needed to move onto the next item. And remember, if you wanna sing into your hairbrush some Taylor Swift, we’re not judging. 

4. Give yourself some grace.

I get it. Not all mornings are smooth sailing. Sometimes they (we) oversleep, one kid is sick, and you’re short on patience. It’s okay if the last thing you say to your kid at drop off is, “I’m sorry I was short with you this morning. Do you forgive me?” Kids need to know we’re people, too. Love them well. Try and enjoy those school mornings. You’ll be seeing them walk across that stage at graduation before you know it.