The beginning of another school year is finally HERE! Mornings in the next few weeks may be a challenge for some families, but establishing a solid morning routine will get everyone out the door without any added stress or hassle. It will set the foundation for having a good day ahead.
Here are some tips on how to create a successful back to school morning routine:
Start by and get everyone in bed early. Making sure everyone gets plenty of time for a good night’s sleep will help to wake up refreshed, and ready for a full day of learning. Consider having young children take showers or baths the night before to save time in the morning. Plan ahead. Lay out clothes and pack school lunches and snacks the night before. Lunchbots and PlanetBox are stainless-steel bento box lunch compartment options which helps keep items fresh. Using cookie cutters to create designs on veggies and sandwiches will make it for a fun lunch display! Amazon has colorful plastic toothpick options and BPA-free cups to keep foods separated. Plan for an easy and healthy breakfast. Eggs cups, protein pancakes, yogurt parfaits and avocado toast are all filling and nutritious ideas. Pinterest has great kid-friendly breakfast ideas! Yeti and Hydro Flask water bottle brands keep water ice cold without leaks throughout the school day. Consider investing in a quality water bottle and lunch box compartment brand.
RELATED READING :: Last Minute Back To School Checklist
Create a morning routine check list for each member of the family. Use pictures instead of words for early readers. Post each check list as a visual for reference in a common space in your home such as the kitchen, bedrooms and/or bathrooms. Make it fun! Use a clipboard and a laminated piece of card-stock with a fun colored-marker to cross-check each item as it is completed. Items to include in a morning routine check list may include: make your bed, tidy up your room, read a book and brush your teeth. Limit screen time to prevent unnecessary distractions.
Work together and assign house-hold chore roles. Everyone in the family helps clean up and put things away. Pj’s get folded, breakfast plates get placed inside the dishwasher and dirty towels may go inside the laundry basket. As each member of the family finishes one task, motivate them to move onto the next. It is all about teamwork! Use a sand timer or buzzer to make it into a fun family game to help tidy up your home before stepping out the door!
Create a common space in your home to keep all school-related items tidy and in one space. A nook to hang up backpacks and baskets to keep school items organized is helpful. Assign a space in your kitchen ahead of time to set dirty lunch boxes, left over snacks and used water bottles. This makes it for an easy clean up.
Lastly, plan to leave the house on time. Arrive to school (or bus stop) at least 10-15 minutes before the bell rings to allow for a sweet good-bye, hug or secret handshake.
