Tips for handling 3 kids (including newborn) in the morning before school

[Anonymous]

Well, it isn’t actually the end of the world if your oldest goes to school in his pajamas or forgets to brush his teeth once a week. So part of what I would do is just relax a little. Just do the best you can each day and then let it go.

[Anonymous]

^ 7:15 for iPad if that gives enough time to get to bus

[Anonymous]

This sounds extraordinarily hard. Where is the other parent?

[Anonymous]

this is maybe one of limited times it sounds easier to have my 3 under 4. It’s a ton of work regardless but OP’s situation with a grade schooler’s schedule sounds worse. If we’re running behind 2 hours in my house it’s not a big deal, we’ll get to preschool when we get there.

Agree with having a nanny come at 7 until your newborn sleeps on a schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sounds extraordinarily hard. Where is the other parent?

Seriously. I know she is going to say her DH has a Big Important Job, but so does mine and he still helped get everyone ready and out the door when they were small. He would block his calendar each day until he knew the older ones would be settled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the 3 yo and newborn are staying home with the nanny, while your oldest goes to school? What is your 3 yo doing while you are trying to get your oldest ready for school?

op here. 3 year old starts preschool at 9. She is thankfully very easygoing and hangs out with me while I get the oldest ready for school and on the bus. Then once he’s off, she eats breakfast, gets dressed, plays and goes to school.

I currently have a nanny who is here early mornings so im managing, but for various (significant) reasons we are going to need to change our childcare setup and most nannies can’t arrive early enough to help at 6:45/7am. Maybe I postpone the transition for a couple of months until the baby is more situated and hopefully on a schedule.

To answer other people’s questions - DH is working by 7am. Unfortunately he’s not going to be much help with early mornings but I knew that and just try to work around it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After 6 brushes his teeth at night, put his toothbrush downstairs in/near the kitchen so immediately after eating he can brush. Can he sleep in his clothes he'll wear the next day?

All of this. And breakfast could be a protein bar eaten walking or a cheese stick, fruit can be messy, I’d save for a different meal.

I’d have both older kids sleep in clothes for next day. See if nanny can come at 7:30 and take over bus run.

A chart with pics of streamlined morning activities and a reward if completed early helped my child with ADD get out the door. Say a game on iPad if done by 7:20, high value and immediate reward.

Why do people keep suggesting kids were clothes to bed? That won’t work for a lot of kids who sweat at night.

Nannies are expensive- adding 1/2 hr to their day would require paying time and a half or double time. A lot of people can’t afford to add that on. And a lot of nannies don’t want to come earlier.

[Anonymous]

It's too late for the OP but people shouldn't have more kids than they can take care of by themselves.

[Anonymous]

Your husband doesn't help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After 6 brushes his teeth at night, put his toothbrush downstairs in/near the kitchen so immediately after eating he can brush. Can he sleep in his clothes he'll wear the next day?

All of this. And breakfast could be a protein bar eaten walking or a cheese stick, fruit can be messy, I’d save for a different meal.

I’d have both older kids sleep in clothes for next day. See if nanny can come at 7:30 and take over bus run.

A chart with pics of streamlined morning activities and a reward if completed early helped my child with ADD get out the door. Say a game on iPad if done by 7:20, high value and immediate reward.

Why do people keep suggesting kids were clothes to bed? That won’t work for a lot of kids who sweat at night.

Nannies are expensive- adding 1/2 hr to their day would require paying time and a half or double time. A lot of people can’t afford to add that on. And a lot of nannies don’t want to come earlier.

And that it’s okay if they don’t brush before school. WTF. These must be public school kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the 3 yo and newborn are staying home with the nanny, while your oldest goes to school? What is your 3 yo doing while you are trying to get your oldest ready for school?

op here. 3 year old starts preschool at 9. She is thankfully very easygoing and hangs out with me while I get the oldest ready for school and on the bus. Then once he’s off, she eats breakfast, gets dressed, plays and goes to school.

I currently have a nanny who is here early mornings so im managing, but for various (significant) reasons we are going to need to change our childcare setup and most nannies can’t arrive early enough to help at 6:45/7am. Maybe I postpone the transition for a couple of months until the baby is more situated and hopefully on a schedule.

To answer other people’s questions - DH is working by 7am. Unfortunately he’s not going to be much help with early mornings but I knew that and just try to work around it.

DH left for work at 6am so I understand having a DH who doesn’t help.

I have 3 and my older have always been good at getting out the door. Your problem is your 6yo. A 6yo should be able to get ready to go to school on his own. I used to take the kids to the bus stop either wearing or pushing a stroller. The baby/toddler was at the bus stop awake or sleeping.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids as well and I've been doing the morning routine by myself for years, since my DH also leaves for work early in the morning.

I think you're doing the right things. As much prep as you can do the night before is helpful. Getting up early and getting yourself ready is also helpful (though I know that's easier said than done...). I would also just take it one day at a time. Some days the baby will sleep late and it will be a breeze; some days will be a disaster. You'll figure out what works and get into a groove.

I would do what you can to encourage your oldest to be as independent as possible--maybe get a little white board with a checklist that he can check off before coming down for breakfast? I have an 8 year old that sounds very similar in terms of being easily distracted and needing reminders so I get it, but I would really work on this, since having at least one kid that needs minimal supervision will make your routine much easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's too late for the OP but people shouldn't have more kids than they can take care of by themselves.

Where the flying f*** is this a rule? People have been having way bigger families for literally centuries upon centuries because it was expected that extended family and community helped. With your perspective though it’s probably a good thing your blood is meeting its end of the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's too late for the OP but people shouldn't have more kids than they can take care of by themselves.

I agree. I’ve been taking care of 3 kids solo for years, as my spouse travels Monday through Thursday. No hired help either. It’s ridiculous this is so hard until only 8 am. Come on!

[Anonymous]

Have the nanny come in earlier