What are your best "getting out of the door in the morning" tips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I put my kids to sleep in the clothes they'll wear for school next day.

Why not feed them their breakfast a day early while you're about it?

[Anonymous]

DD eats breakfast on the train on the way to school.

[Anonymous]

We use the clock as our guide. Kids awake and dressing (I could kiss the ground each day that they have uniforms!) by 7am. Breakfast done by 7:20. Sometimes I set the timer on the microwave so they know - when it buzzes you're done. No ifs, ands or buts! Bathroom shuffle until 7:40. I put a clock above the sink which has been a great help. Back downstairs to pick up backpacks/lunches/gear and out the door with car started by 7:50.

Packing backpacks and after school activity gear the night before is critical. I'd like to say I do lunches then but I don't. I'm up before the kids and I usually do them then. And we never have tv or computer on. That would be a disaster!

[Anonymous]

Ths is OP. thanks, there are a lot of great tips in here. I hope we work out a smooth routine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get everything ready in advance. People often say so things the night before. I do everything on Sunday. Lunches packed for the week. Clothes laid out. Breakfast menu made, which I pay out the night before. Backpacks on the table. I also multitask. I made a space for breakfast in a sitting area upstairs so I can get ready while the kids eat.

I also never pick battles in the morning. If someone wants help getting dressed, I help.

I am out the door super fast and my house is peaceful in the mornings.

How do you make lunches for a whole week? What do you pack?

[Anonymous]

Kids have to be dressed before they come out of their rooms on school days.
Clothes laid out the night before.

With one of my kids who was hard to get up I used an alarm clock. He can't moan and groan to an alarm clock.

pack all food and backpacks the night before.
Put all your stuff out the night before too, phone car keys etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I put my kids to sleep in the clothes they'll wear for school next day.

Why not feed them their breakfast a day early while you're about it?

Mine is in preschool and he sleeps in his clean cloths for the next day. It has made our mornings so much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids have to be dressed before they come out of their rooms on school days.
Clothes laid out the night before.

With one of my kids who was hard to get up I used an alarm clock. He can't moan and groan to an alarm clock.

pack all food and backpacks the night before.
Put all your stuff out the night before too, phone car keys etc.

My kids just sleep through the alarm. I have to physically go in and pull them out of the bed and place them on their feet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I put my kids to sleep in the clothes they'll wear for school next day.

Why not feed them their breakfast a day early while you're about it?

Mine is in preschool and he sleeps in his clean cloths for the next day. It has made our mornings so much better.

Good grief.

[Anonymous]

I have a 4 yr old and 2 yr old who both attend Montessori. We have only 4 things we need to do in the morning. Brush teeth, change, pee, and have breakfast. It keeps me save to have a small list.

I get lunch ready the night before and make beds later, if at all.

And life is always best when I'm up and ready before them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I put my kids to sleep in the clothes they'll wear for school next day.

Why not feed them their breakfast a day early while you're about it?

Mine is in preschool and he sleeps in his clean cloths for the next day. It has made our mornings so much better.

Good grief.

NP here. I am surprised you have not heard of this technique. My preschool does a version of this too. His tees and knit pants are as comfy as any PJs.

[Anonymous]

Stand at the door 5 minutes ahead of schedule and invite any of my children who are ready to stand outside on the front porch with me. They all want to get there as soon as possible.

If I am late or on time, it sets them all off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I admit, mornings before school are often harried and full of raised voices.

What are your best tips for making it (more) calm and orderly?

I dress before the kids. Clothes for the day are laid out the night before. Lunches made the night before. I make a huge batch of pancakes on the weekends and freeze for the week. Otherwise it's microwave stuff or yogurt for breakfast. Also, backpacks are packed, shoes and coat are all out by the door waiting. Everything is organized and has a place in the routine and the routine is exactly the same every single morning. Also, the kids have a specific routine for getting dressed and making their bed. They have a checklist on their door so they can make sure they did everything (sort of like a reward system). I find when they know exactly what will happen when, it makes things go much smoother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I put my kids to sleep in the clothes they'll wear for school next day.

Why not feed them their breakfast a day early while you're about it?

Mine is in preschool and he sleeps in his clean cloths for the next day. It has made our mornings so much better.

Good grief.

NP here. I am surprised you have not heard of this technique. My preschool does a version of this too. His tees and knit pants are as comfy as any PJs.

But it takes literally a minute to dress a child. I don't think it's worth it.

[Anonymous]

I have my preschooler pick out all his outfits for a week and we put them in plastic bags for each day. This cut down drastically the amount of fussing over the right underpants in the morning. He doesn't get to eat until he's dressed. Can't wait until the baby can dress himself!!