If you have school-age children like I do, you’re intimately familiar with the hectic morning routines that make launching a rocket into space look easy. Nothing can start your day off on the wrong foot by running late and realizing one or more of the kids forgot something at home. To help combat this dilemma, we found some online tips for getting everyone up and out of the house on time- some are interesting to say the least. Enjoy! Buy only plain white socks. If every sock in the bin is white, there is no such thing as mismatched socks. Okay, I'm not sure my daughters would want to give up their favorite character socks but maybe those can become special Weekend Socks...Win! Prepare the launch pad the night before. Have a designated departure zone in your house. At bedtime, call a launch pad check where everyone looks to make sure their shoes, backpacks, and projects are ready for liftoff the next morning. And if they've done a good job, maybe they get one of those Rocket-shaped ice pops after school (but bribes only work for so long- so I've heard). Hide technology. Nothing derails a morning routine like an iPad, Xbox, Nintendo, or iPhone. Hide the technology every night, so no one is tempted in the morning. I imagine there might be some upset kids when they can't find their devices the next morning. I might skip this one myself. Buy alarm clocks. Have THEM set their alarm for 10-20 minutes before they need to get moving. That way, you don’t have to be the bad guy every single morning. This tip actually works, especially if you start when they enter Kindergarten- tell them this is what Big Kids do and how cool it is! Start each day with 15-second hugs. Not only does it start the morning off with love and affection, but scientists say hugs make kids smarter, healthier, more emotionally stable and resilient. Please, let me know how this works with your teenagers. Play upbeat music loudly. Not only is music fun and helps pep everyone up, doctors say music improves brain functionality, lowers stress levels, boosts immunity, and helps with creativity. If I ever tried this, I might be sleeping in the garage. Next tip, please. Decide on breakfast as a family. Set a designated breakfast for each day of the week, so it’s predetermined, and you’re not stuck making six different things every morning. Monday can be frozen waffles; Tuesday can be their choice of cereal, and so on. At first, I thought this was suggesting we sit down as a family to eat breakfast together before school. Instead, each kid picks breakfast one day a week- okay, I can jump on board with that. We hope something on this list might lead to better mornings and more productive days for you and your family. Wishing you good luck guiding your kids as they develop efficient and consistent morning routines! |
Time-Saving Tips for School Mornings
