How do I prepare for school in the morning?

The alarm goes off and a smile spreads across your face. Why? Well, for once you’re not dashing downstairs to get breakfast started and yelling back upstairs to the kids to get dressed quickly before they miss their bus. Nope, today, you’ve mastered your morning routine! If you’re looking for a bliss-filled morning, one that includes slowly sipping and enjoying your latte for once, then read on!

Prep! Prepare anything you can the night before! If you instill a solid, nightly routine of getting things ready before bed, you won’t have to rush in the morning when you’re on a tighter timeline. If you send bagged lunches to school, you should get to packing the night before. Almost anything that a child would eat for lunch can be tossed in a lunch bag and set in the fridge—ready for them to just grab and go! Did you know you can do make-ahead PB&J or meat and cheese sandwiches for the whole week? Take out a loaf of bread on Sunday night and go to town making sandwiches of different types, cut them, bag them and toss them in the freezer, ensuring that come lunch time they are still fresh!

Breakfast is also another item that can be made less stressful by a little bit of pre-planning. You can easily make breakfast burritos, French toast or pancakes for the school week during meal- prep night. Store them in freezer-safe containers or bags that can be grabbed easily. Your kiddo can simply toss something in the microwave for a quick, warm, hardy breakfast that is practically hassle free! Also, consider dedicating a drawer in your fridge and spot in your pantry for ‘quick’ foods that can be eaten for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Store single-serve yogurt, string cheese, hard-boiled eggs and some fruits in your fridge for a quick on-the-go breakfast. Granola, dried fruit and nuts are other items that are pretty mess-free and great for older kids to munch on before heading off to school.

How do I get my kids ready for morning?

Your morning doesn’t have to be a blur of chaos and confusion. Take the guesswork out of your morning and setup an organized system that will encourage your kids to ready themselves! For many, the biggest dilemma that families face while getting ready in the morning is what to wear for the day. This kid can’t find socks, that kid doesn’t know what shirt to wear; all the while you’re still in your jammies watching the chaos unfold much like last night’s laundry still left in its basket. Get an organized clothing system that will make getting dressed a painless process. Start by classifying clothing items and putting them away with like items. A dresser with plenty of drawers is excellent for this, as you can place different items in dedicated drawers, making sure that there will be no digging and searching for clothes.

There are a wide variety of bedroom dressers available that will serve you well and help to organize your child’s closet. Consider even labeling the top rim of a dresser drawer for elementary age kids. The dresser front will remain pristine, but your child gets the added nudge on where to put certain items on laundry day. If you hang up some of your child’s clothes, it is a good idea to buy colored hangers, as this can help them to identify different types of clothing easier. For little ones learning to dress themselves, you can create a system where they pick out one piece from each colored section and, just by doing that, you’ve instilled some independence and responsibility.

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Even with these steps, mornings can be chaotic, so it’s important to prep the night before. Set a family rule that after pajamas are on and teeth are brushed, the next day’s outfit is picked out before you move on to reading a bedtime book and climbing into bed. A clean dresser top is the perfect place to set out a top, bottom, underwear and socks for the next. That way, in the morning your child only needs to slip into their clothes and head downstairs to grab their pre-made breakfast!

How can I get my child ready for school?

Kids get just as stressed as adults and have their own set of burdens. Teach your children to plan ahead, and they’ll be planning for success in the most stress-free manner possible! Make sure backpacks are zipped up and hung in an easy access spot, usually your entryway or mudroom. Consider purchasing entryway furniture like a hall tree, coat rack or entryway table to help with your AM routine. These pieces of furniture take the guess work out finding a place for coats, backpacks and car keys, while you’re on your way out of the house. Don’t forget about other storage and organization options like storage benches and console tables. A storage bench is a great way to be discreet about seasonal items like jackets and gloves, while providing a spot to sit while putting on shoes. Look for one with a mirror and you’ll be able to do a once over before you’re on your way.

Simplifying your morning routine has never been easier! Start by meal-prepping—breakfast choices can be done on a Sunday night for the whole week and lunches can be packed up nightly. Organize your children’s clothes in such a way that picking out an outfit for the day is a no brainer, and get all of your ‘on the way out’ items ready by hanging them on a hall tree or placing them on your entryway table or storage bench. Just by doing a little bit of prepping and creating dedicated spaces for AM routines, you’re guaranteed to save minutes off of your morning schedule and be well on your way to an easy-breezy, stress-free start of your day!