Do you find it hard to be on time for anything – let alone work? It’s hard enough when we need to get ourselves out the door on time, let alone our kids. Now that the school is in session, I am sharing 5 simple tips that we use during the school year to get out the door on time.
5 Simple Tips for Setting Routines for Children this School Year
Early to bed – Early to Rise
The week before the school year begins, we revisit my son’s school bedtime schedule. After months of going to bed late and sleeping late, children’s sleeping patterns are out of whack. I find that this new set bedtime schedule helps to get him back into the early to bed – early to rise routine.
Mission: Organization
We make sure our son sits down to do his homework within ten minutes of getting home from school. Any papers that need a signature or an item that needs to be brought to school for a party is done at this moment. His lunchbag is taken out of his backpack and freezer bricks are put back into the freezer. Any sandwich containers or utensils are put into the dishwasher. His backpack is placed at the door and ready for the next day. Any last minute scrambling in the morning will be a hiccup to getting out the door on time.
2 Alarm System
It might sound duplicitous, but we use 2 alarms in the morning. I have my alarm set to wake myself and my son up before school. Every night, my son sets his alarm in his room (about 5 minutes fast) to go off at the time he has to be dressed, teeth brushed and ready to go downstairs.
Always Be Prepared
I make it a point on Sunday to prep my son’s lunches for the entire week. I freeze 3 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the week and portion size all snacks and sides that he will take with lunch. If he is taking any fruit: grapes, apple slices etc., I clean all the fruit so it’s ready to go. The lunch is then put together in his lunchbag the night before so it’s ready. Doing this eliminates any morning scrambling to put his lunch together. Also, I make it a point to have my son’s 5 daily outfits in his closet ready for the school week.
Electronic Free Zone
No electronic distractions is the #1 key to getting out the door on time. It is wise to not let your children:
- watch TV while they are eating/getting dressed
- login to their social media accounts
- use their cell phones
- play any electronic games
- use electronic readers, etc.
- use their laptop, tablets, computers, etc.
Doing any of these things will make your child go off-track from what they are supposed to be doing: getting ready for school. These are huge time sucks that will ultimately lead to lateness and more stress.
If you take all of these tips, or come away just using a couple of them, doing so will greatly reduce morning stress.
Lastly, it all comes to down to establishing routine and habit. Once we get into the habit of doing simple things to make our mornings more streamlined, it will become routine to us. Moreover, by doing things this way, we are setting a positive example to our children on how to make life less stressful. And, most importantly, establishing a routine for getting your children out the door on time this school year.
What are your best tips for getting out the door on time on school mornings?