By Karey McCann
School is back in session. It’s almost bedtime. “Mom/Dad!” calls your kiddo. “I need 14 dried beans, silver glitter, a piece of felt and 28 buttons for art class tomorrow!”
ACK!!!
Organization, consistency and a sense of humor are crucial to stress-free school mornings.
Organization begins the afternoon/evening before. Consistency creates the framework for expectations and assigning responsibilities, allowing school prep to become a habit. And a bit of patience combined with a sense of humor will help you manage any “emergency.”
First thing after school, empty any lunch boxes and put any containers in the dishwasher to run with dinner dishes. Have your kids empty their backpacks. Check for homework, notes regarding upcoming field trips, sports schedules and supplies needed for special projects (especially those involving materials such as glitter and dried beans).
After a healthy snack, have them complete any homework while they are still in school mode. Then send them outside to run off some energy!
Cleanup after dinner is a good time to prepare lunches/breakfast for the following day. Pack lunches, set out breakfast bowl and utensils (see healthy breakfast ideas on p. 10). As your kids grow older, they can assume these tasks. Remember to prep your coffee maker, so all you have to do is flip the switch in the morning.
Check tomorrow’s weather, then lay out your kid’s school outfit accordingly. Uniforms make this a breeze! As with lunch and breakfast prep, eventually this will become your child’s responsibility.
Have them repack their backpacks with finished homework, any permission slips, special supplies, etc., and put them in a designated spot.
In my experience, having kids bathe/shower before bed helps them unwind before slumber time. No TV or computer games/internet one hour before bed. Keep it to active play or reading. Remember hugs and story time! It’s important to set a bedtime that gives them at least eight to nine hours of sleep. That way, they won’t be droopy in the morning, Plus, it gives you a little much needed down time.
Keep computer games or TV out of the morning routine. They distract your child from the mission at hand. Their job is to eat breakfast, get dressed, brush their teeth and hair, put lunch in their backpack – and get to school on time.
I was a single parent of three (five, if you include the two huge dogs), and I worked full time as a magazine editor. I also had a home and an acre of land to keep up. I had to be organized!
Some of these tips may seem like no brainers, but sometimes the obvious is the invisible! They sure helped me navigate the busy mornings and evenings during the school year. Depending on whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or work, you can adjust these tips to fit your schedule.
Once again, try to maintain a sense of humor on those occasional but inevitable difficult mornings. It will help your child – and you – start the day with a positive outlook.