Clever Ways to Get Your Children Out of the House on Busy School Mornings

Aug 30, 2022after school care, tips

Fall is an exciting time of year. But it can also be stressful and overwhelming.

Families cite one of their greatest struggles during back-to-school season is getting their children out the door on busy school mornings without a fuss or a fight.

This article will expose some of the best-kept secrets to keeping your morning routine with school-age children, as calm as possible! 

 

Success starts the night before

Whether your child is going to kindergarten, school, or attending a daycare near you, it’s important to start your day prepared. 

One of the best ways to do this is to prepare for the day the night before!

  • Encourage your children to lay out the clothes they are going to wear. Have them get out everything for their outfits (even their socks, underwear, and shoes). 
  • Have your children gather their books, pencils, and homework and get them to pack their school bags.
  • Have everyone take their baths and showers in the evening. It’s much easier to get ready in the morning when there isn’t a lineup for the bathroom!
  • Make lunches the night before. If you’re not sure what to make for lunch, check out our article, Back to School: Tips for Families of Children in Kindergarten and After School Daycare, where we share numerous great lunch ideas.
  • Prepare for breakfast! Place bowls, spoons, and boxes of cereal on the table. Get out the toaster, plates, and butter knives. Prepare the coffee maker and get out the coffee mugs. 

 

Organize your home for success

The key to having successful mornings is making sure that your home is organized. Take the time to make sure everything has a place. 

  • Have a place near the door for your children to keep their backpacks.
  • Dedicate a space in your fridge for your family’s lunches.
  • Keep shoes near the door. 
  • Always store your car and house keys in the same place.

 

Get to bed on time

Set a reasonable bedtime for you and your children. It’s hard to start the day if you’re groggy or woke up late because you were tired and hit that snooze button too many times. A good bedtime usually means a good night’s sleep and a smoother morning! Plus school-age children need sufficient sleep in order for their brains to learn and retain all the information they absorb during the day.

 

Everyone should have an alarm clock

Don’t rely on one person to make sure everyone gets out of bed on time. You and your children should have alarm clocks! 

 

Create a morning schedule

Make a schedule for your children and post it somewhere visible. A schedule is not only a great reminder of what your children need to do every morning, but it’s also a fabulous tool to encourage independence. 

The morning schedule may include things like:

  • Wake up
  • Make bed
  • Eat breakfast
  • Clean up morning dishes
  • Brush teeth 
  • Get dressed
  • Comb hair
  • Put lunch in a backpack
  • Free time until we’re ready to leave the house

If your child is attending daycare or after-school daycare near you, it’s especially important to get out of the house on time. Often, the childcare staff needs to leave the centre by a certain time in order to get the children to school before their morning bell rings.

 

Have a communication station

Consider having a central communications space where you can post the following:

  • The morning schedule (now that you’ve made one)
  • The family calendar
  • Permission slips that need to be signed
  • A message board for important reminders (i.e. Track and Field after school today)

 

Be prepared for the difficult busy school mornings

Let’s face it, there’s going to be a morning when the snooze button is hit too many times or everyone seems to move like molasses. Be prepared for those less than optimal mornings and have a stash of emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Consider having a bin with some important items like:

  • Hair ties
  • A hair brush
  • A couple of bottles of water
  • Granola bars
  • Face towelettes 
  • Kleenex

If your child is attending our St. Albert after-school care daycare or one of our Edmonton daycare centres, a healthy and nutritious snack is available for your child in the mornings.

Your mornings with your school-age children don’t have to be chaotic or overwhelming. As you can see here, a few simple strategies can make your family’s busy mornings a lot less stressful!

 

 

Bambini Learning Group is a Reggio-inspired, holistic child care program located in Edmonton, Alberta. Their vision is to inspire families to live healthier, more meaningful lives. Through innovative, holistic, and supportive resources, Bambini is helping children live the authentic childhood they deserve. New locations coming soon! Contact Bambini for more information about their unique, holistic child care program at [email protected], or book a tour to see Bambini for yourself!

 

JENNIFER BLY

JENNIFER BLY is the Communications Consultant for Bambini Learning Group, a published author, and creator of The Deliberate Mom, a website full of parenting and homemaking inspiration. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood field. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration Degree with a specialization in Early Learning in Child Care.