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Most of my readers with families have already started school, or will begin in the next 2 weeks. One thing that we dread is that morning rush. The mad frenzy to make sure they have everything they need for the day, and that the kids are fed and dressed. And sending them off on a cheerful note would be nice as well!
A peaceful morning does not just happen by accident. It takes careful preparations and the creation of routines. And it also takes preparing much of what will be needed the night before.
7 things to do the night before
1. Have a process and routine for going through bookbags, signing papers and getting homework done and back in the bag. Kat from Inspired to Action had a great post on simpifying this process over at Life Your Way.
2. Have a system for organizing and planning your children’s wardrobe. Less is more. And uniforms are awesome! Plan mix and match outfits you know your child likes. Have a time in the evening when you encourage or assist them in picking out clothes for the next day, all the way down to sock, shoes and accessories.
3. Double check your calendar and your children’s (and your hubby’s). Know what is on the plan for the next day. Is there a field trip? Does hubby have a late meeting? Is it gymnastics day and you need to get gym clothes clean? Do this earlier in the evening and not just before turning off the lights! Checking the weather is a good habit as well. Keeps you from sending your kids out in a shorts and a t-shirt when a cold front is coming through and it is only going to be 50 degrees tomorrow.
4. If your child takes a lunch, prepare as much or all of it the night before. Be sure to have a good lunch box system to help keep things separated and to keep foods at proper temperatures. I encourage you to have your child learn to take on this responsibility as early an age as possible. Keep foods specific for the lunch box stocked in the pantry and fridge.
5. Prepare for breakfast. Know what options are available the next morning. Cooking a hot meal each morning may not be feasible or necessary, but with proper planning, you can send your kids of with more than a bowl of cornflakes in their tummies! Also, look ahead to dinner. Does something need to come out of the freezer?
6. Plan a time to sit quietly with your child and listen to them talk about their day. I found that bedtime was good for this, although you may have to start a few minutes before bedtime or they will keep talking to keep from having to go to sleep! A quiet time of connection is a great way to prepare for a better tomorrow. If it is of your choosing, bedtime prayers are great for this as well!
7. Set your alarm clock earlier than your children’s. Of course this will vary depending on the ages of your children, and depending on whether you have to get up and out to an outside job yourself. The key factor is to get up and awake before your children if at all possible. Time to make the coffee, get a shower, get dressed, all these will help you with your morning, so set your alarm earlier. I know that 30 extra minutes of sleep may seem necessary, but it will pay off in a smoother morning!
What things do you find help make for a better morning?
Packing backpacks the night before definitely helps. And either packing their lunches or at least checking the fridge/pantry and having a plan for exactly what lunch/snack will be for the next day.
My middle son wears uniforms. And WOW does that make the wardrobe part easier.
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bernicewood Reply:
August 19th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
I agree, even if you don’t pack the lunch, checking ahead of time and having in mind what will be fixed helps. I would have LOVED uniforms when my kids were in school! My daughter has 6 kids, 4 in school and she wishes they had uniforms, lol!
Bernice
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Getting ready for back to school? Hear are some helpful tips from @womanonajourney http://t.co/DnFFMr5 RT @womanonajourney
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So glad to find you from your award today on Laurie Wallin’s blog. These are fantastic tips. I haven’t implemented all of them but the ones I have are definite sanity savers!
Shannon Milholland recently posted..Parking Hope
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Very nice. I love it and I am sharing this on Twitter. I wish I could print it out and distribute it to some people I know who keep on complaining about not having enough time for everything when it is not that hard to have some system in place. When my son started school, I did have a slightly tough time getting him into bed early because he’d nap after returning from school. But within the first week we luckily started some habits – and at 13, he still follows those. We may cheat slightly, but he won’t!
Again, Great post, Bernice!
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I like this blog post and I can really relate. As a full time stay at home Dad with no outside help I have learned that organization is key to staying on top.
I really do need a new calender and will take your advice!
Have a great day and Happy Blogging from Marty
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This is great! Thanks for the tips. I like the one about having the kids learn to prepare their own lunch the night before, will keep that in mind.
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Great tips to avoid the morning rush especially for moms our there. I’ll print this one out and show it to mom. Thanks you!!
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7 things you SHOULD have done last night! http://t.co/t9J4TH7
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A post you should read TONIGHT ~ 7 things you should’ve done last night http://ow.ly/68S5h #parenting
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Gr8 tips 4 a school night RT @womanonajourney: U should read 2night ~ 7 things U should’ve done last night http://ow.ly/68S5h #parenting
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Hi, Bernice!
I am still not a parent, but I am very soon to be, in less than a month.:)If you’d ask me what do I do to make my mornings better and more comfortable, I’d say I start with a good warm cup of hot chocolate or coffee. Then everything else…lol
I agree we should prepare our to do lists for tomorrow’s day, as it makes things easier for organization and is at the same time a good reminder of things we should not forget to do.
Thanks for posting!
Kristina L. recently posted..SimplyYouthMinistry Coupon Code
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Preparation makes for better school mornings! ~ 7 things you should’ve done last night http://ow.ly/69jts #backtoschool
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Did two of these last night and what a difference! 7 things you should have done last night http://t.co/8F4xsq1 via @womanonajourney
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@evmoms Just a little prep can make a BIG difference! http://ow.ly/69B7B #backtoschool
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Uniforms help soo much!
And getting everything that needs to go to school by the door, too.
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Great tips! As my youngest is in high school, I know from experience that it pays to take time the night before. Morning is difficult enough as it is without extra chaos from things that could have been taken care of earlier!
I also am a great proponent of teaching children to do household chores and meal prep. It makes them more confident and self-sufficient.
Incidentally, my hubby grew up in a family of 8 kids. They rotated chores, but two kids made lunches at night for the next day. Imagine making 12 – 16 sandwiches every night. LOL, should make moms of two feel like they have it easier than they knew.
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Thanks you!! Great tips to avoid the morning rush especially for moms our there. I’ll print this one out and show it to mom.
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Great list- and CHECK LIST is my #1 go to for organization of any kind! We have a place for everything (usually) and things go in their place when they aren’t being used (usually) and by keeping a running list of things needed to do or buy- we manage to keep things fairly under control!
I homeschool our 3 boys – so having a plan is a real life saver!
Kelli-AdventurezInChildRearing recently posted..Homeschool Mother’s Journal- My Time Flies!
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Hi Bernice,
Nice post. I really like all 7 things or tips that you have shared especially setting up Alarm before children. This tip really help many mothers to manage their morning schedule.
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Hi there Bernice. Thanks for sharing this. It’s a very nice reminder.
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The main thing that helps the beginning of our day is for me to get up on time! LOL… My alarm goes off first and if I’m not up my son, whose alarm goes off second, comes to make sure I’m up. Now lately he has been turning his alarm off and going back to sleep, so I have to be in charge again. LOL
Great post.
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I haven’t had any luck getting up before my kids–two of them are up before 6:00! But I do like to shower and do a little pampering for myself before bed. Then, I’m not feeling so rushed in the morning and never finding the time for those things (doing my nails, etc.).
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