Got Kids? Morning Routine Hacks

How to Get Kids Out of House On Time in the Morning

Do you find it just as difficult to get your kids off to school in the mornings, even now, when they are in elementary or middle school?

They’re  old enough to get themselves ready in the morning but they still need directions and help staying on task and on time! For a seamless morning routine, planning is required, military style.

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1. The key to success is for you to be up and dressed before waking the kids up.

2. Make it easy and seamless by doing as much as you can the night before:-

• Pack their backpacks and place them by the door, ready to go. Check that you/they have included any notes or permissions slips that needed signing, homework, instruments, gym kit, library books, show and tell, projects, cash etc.

• Prepare lunches and snacks, store them in the fridge, ready for assembly in the morning (to avoid soggy sandwiches). Write a bunch of handwritten notes or silly jokes on napkins and pop one into the lunch bag every so often, for a little surprise.

• Set the table for breakfast right after clearing away dinner. Plates, bowls, flatware, glasses, napkins, cereal boxes. All that is needed in the morning is the milk, juice and maybe a yoghurt from the fridge.
• Run the dishwasher.
• Set coffee maker on a timer.

Easy breakfast ideas to prepare ahead of time

A continental breakfast. Arrange some cold cuts, cheese, fruit, and hard boiled eggs on a platter, cover and keep in the fridge. Serve in the morning with bread and butter.

For a warm breakfast, try overnight oatmeal cooked in a crock pot, topped with fresh fruit.

Pre made pancakes can be warmed up fast.

Pre cut fruit is also handy for a morning smoothie.

3. Assemble five outfits over the weekend, or have your child choose them and place them in their closet for easy access and no arguments. Better still if they wear a uniform!

4. Mom and Dads job in the morning is to direct and orchestrate – while the kids are in the bathroom: Empty the dishwasher (which was set to run the previous night) this will make for a quick clear up after breakfast. Assemble lunches, while you enjoy your coffee or tea.

5. Go and check that the kids are on task, you could be making the beds at the same time and collecting any laundry. Give them any extra help they need, to style hair or tie shoes etc.

6. Have breakfast together and a conversation about the upcoming day and after school arrangements. Tell them what’s for dinner!

7. Before you leave, throw a load of laundry into the washing machine. Load the dishwasher and set to rinse.

8. Bounce! Remember to tell the children what a great job they did on the car ride or while waiting for the school bus.