Use these ways to streamline your morning routine on school days to reduce stress and enjoy a more peaceful morning.
With school back in session, it is time for you to be on top of things and a bit less lax about routines. Getting the whole family up, dressed and out the door with everything they need each day can be a challenge. That’s why we are giving you a step up with these 7 Ways To Streamline Your Morning Routine on School Days. Not only will these be easy to implement, but they will also save you time and energy, possibly giving you that extra 5 minutes of sleep you desire.
7 Ways to Streamline Your Morning Routine on School Days
If you want to be more efficient and reduce morning stress, use the below techniques to save time and streamline your morning routine.
Meal Prep Lunches
Prep for lunch boxes once a week. On Sunday afternoon or evening prep all snacks for lunches throughout the week. Wash grapes, carrots, apples and pears and slice or portion for every day. To keep fruit from turning brown, dip in diet 7-up or Sprite instead of the lemon juice of days past. Less added flavor with all the benefits! Grab items like pretzels, pita chips, chips or snack mix and portion into serving size containers or bags. If you make sandwiches daily, have all of the toppings ready and easy to assemble the night before. If you need make-ahead lunch ideas, check out Prep-Ahead Breakfasts and Lunches.
Pack backpacks the night before.
Place hooks for backpacks and bags by the door you exit each morning. Hanging your kids’ book bag or jacket right by the door you leave out of will help them to never forget what is needed for school. There are tons of fun ways to create an entryway rack or fun mudroom without detracting from the appeal of your entryway. Here is a tutorial for a DIY Coat Rack.
Prep Clothing for the Week
Choose outfits for the week on Sunday and have hanging or folded and ready to grab and dress easily each day. There are dozens of cool hanging racks, special daily slide-ins for drawers or other methods to keep school clothes set out for the week without cluttering your kids’ bedrooms.
Bath at Night
Switch baths or showers to the night before school instead of in the morning. If you have multiple children take turns of who bathes at night and in the morning. Cutting down on bathroom time will make getting out the door that much faster.
Use a Chore Chart
Keep a chore chart handy for daily tasks. Things like feeding the pets, loading lunch bags, or setting out breakfast plates, can be rotated so each child gets a day off.
Make Breakfast Ahead of Time.
Have easy grab & go breakfasts handy in fridge or freezer. Things like overnight Crockpot oatmeal, ready-made breakfast burritos or simple fruit and yogurt parfaits are simple to make ahead and grab quickly in the morning. No need to slave over a stove or send your child to school hungry. If you need make-ahead breakfast ideas, check out Prep-Ahead Breakfasts and Lunches.
Go to Bed Earlier
Don’t skimp on sleep. One of the biggest reasons mornings feel so rushed is because many of us do not get proper amounts of sleep. This leaves you dragging, forgetful, and often careless. Make sure everyone gets to bed in time to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night for easier morning routines. This means creating a nighttime routine where everything is complete 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime, so everyone has time to decompress before trying to fall to sleep.
Don’t let the rush of back to school bring you down. Implement these easy ways to streamline your morning routine and make your mornings less chaotic. Include your kids and spouse in the decision making and make sure everyone is on board to help mornings go smoothly.
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