15 tips on how to get ready for school quickly
No matter what time kids get to bed on any given school night , why does it seem like they̵7;re always running late in the morning?
Here are some tips for creating a helpful morning routine for getting ready for school in a quick, stress-free way.
1. Choose clothing the night before
There̵7;s nothing worse than hearing the bus in the distance while kids are still scrambling to find their favorite sweatshirt. Get prepared the night before by helping kids pick out every single item of clothing, from their shirt down to their socks and shoes (see No. 3 below) in advance. And make sure to check the weather forecast when doing so!
2. Designate one place for clothes
Once you prepare an outfit, have kids put it in a designated place. That way, when morning hits, kids will know exactly where to go to find their clothes for the day.
3. Keep shoes organized
You can waste a lot of time in the mornings by trying to sort through mismatched and disorganized footwear. To avoid this, have a designated shoe bin for each child in the mudroom or hallway closet. You can also have kids keep their shoes with the clothing they will be wearing the next day, so that everything is all in one place.
4. Make sure kids complete homework before bed
Don̵7;t fall for every child̵7;s favorite ̶0;I̵7;ll do it in the morning̶1; line. Mornings are hectic enough before you add schoolwork into the mix. And no kid does quality work while trying to race out the door.
5. Make lunches the night before
This is a no-brainer, but the more you can do the night before, the better. Make sandwiches, fill water bottles, prep snacks and keep everything in the fridge or a designated spot so you, or the kids, can grab them easily and get out the door on time. Not sure what to make? Check out these healthy school lunch ideas.
6. Keep backpacks fully stocked
You can also prepare kids̵7; backpacks the night before. Make sure that homework, supplies and permissions slips are all safely tucked away. And place backpacks next to the door so kids can grab them quickly on their way out.
7. Organize your own items
You can be a good model for kids by making sure that everything is in place on your end. To keep things running smoothly, make sure to organize all the items you and the kids use in the mornings in advance. Do you know where your car keys are?
8. Have kids shower at night
Bathing the night before can save kids a lot of time in the morning.
9. Set alarms 15 minutes early
Having a few extra minutes can ease stress levels for everyone.
10. Invest in a light alarm
Some kids have a really hard time waking up. It might help to get an alarm that uses light along with sound. These alarms mimic the sunrise, which helps ease kids awake.
11. Ban screens in the mornings
Kids will be able to get out the door faster if they are free from distractions, like trying to finish one more Youtube video or the end of a cartoon show.
12. Set a timer
If kids have a real issue staying on target, try setting a kitchen timer in the morning. This can give them an idea of how long they have to dress, eat and brush their teeth.
13. Simplify breakfast
Busy school mornings are usually not the time to have an elaborate egg and bacon breakfast. Choose healthy and quick options that are packed with protein. Better than that, stock simple breakfast items that kids can make themselves.
14. Use weekends to plan
Use the weekend to get caught up on laundry and stock up on school lunch supplies. The weekend is also a good time to ask kids if they have any upcoming projects. No one wants to hear that a kid needs a poster board 20 minutes before the bus arrives!
15. Cross-check everything the night before
It can̵7;t hurt to double check that everything you and the kids need in the morning is laid out properly, especially if little ones took the initiative to prepare their outfits and supplies themselves. This way you can rest easy knowing that there won̵7;t be any big surprises in the morning.
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