Back-to-School Time Savers
No one likes getting up early for school (or work, for that matter), but you gotta do what you gotta do. Here are some tips from ParentsConnect members and friends for how to get your kid and yourself out the door on time.
- "A few weeks before school starts, we try to wake up earlier each day until we get to the actual school wake-up time. This helps even us parents who may not get up as early during the summer!" - Bernice
- "Have your kids select their school clothes and accessories for the week and stash them, rolled up, in a hanging shoe organizer to make the morning routine smooth."
- "I try to get as much done the night before as possible. Then I just have to make the PB&J sandwich the morning of, but even then, if I've run out of time, I'll pack lunch meat and wheat crackers." - Silvia
- "Before each new school week, I have my kids decorate a brown paper lunch bag and write their name on it. Whoever is dressed and at the kitchen table by 7:30 AM, will find a surprise." - Linda
- "I found a whiteboard that was long and narrow with the days of the week already printed on. Each person gets a time slot that they have to shower in. If you miss your time, then you run the risk of being late or going to school stinky!"
- "Wake them up 10 minutes apart—the oldest first, if possible. When the first kid is done, you can plonk 'em in front of the telly and check on the next one!" - Em
- "I use the time when my kids are eating breakfast to pack lunches, clean up the kitchen, and get myself organized, so I feed them breakfast in courses. That way, they eat slowly and actually take time to enjoy their food instead of shoving it into their mouths." -Erin
- "Set the table for breakfast with spoons, bowls and cereal the night before. Then, put a small container of milk in the fridge and let them serve themselves breakfast."
- "I had such a hard time waking up my 9-year-old son for school in the morning that I told him it was now HIS responsibility to wake ME up in the morning. He went from grumbling about getting out of bed to being happy to help out his 'poor old mom.'" -Brandi
- "So my 13-year-old daughter won't forget anything when she's getting ready for school, I put a small sticky note on her bathroom mirror to remind her of what she needs. That way, when she wakes up in the morning she can easily start getting ready for school."
- "I used some clear plastic to encase a list she made for her morning routine and she uses a dry-erase pen to check them off herself. She also knows what to do before bedtime to ensure things are ready to grab in the morning. Check, check, check check!"
- Tell us: How do YOU get your kid ready in the morning? Comment below and share your time-saving secrets.
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