After a fun-filled summer and five months of lax bedtimes and late starts, it’s going to take some time before a routine is set and stone (not forgetting the extra screen time and sweet treats - but sure we can work on that over the coming weeks, can’t we?).
So with that in mind, we are here to help you get back into the swing of things, with six of our top tips to help keep the chaos under control. Get ready with these school morning hacks to get the kids out the door on time.
Get your shit together
Before you hit the hay, get everything ready for the next day. Have all the items from uniforms, shoes, coats, bags, and even hairbrushes and bobbins prepared the night before. Make everything readily available, I promise you, it will transform your morning and make it as stress-free as possible.
Wake up BEFORE the kids
I know, I know, sleep is precious, and the last thing you want to be doing is getting up before the chaos unfolds, but trust me when I say this: it will frame your day. Do it for you, for a coffee, for an uninterrupted hot shower, or to even organise breakfast without little feet running beneath you.
Implement a uniforms-on-last rule
There is nothing more frustrating than when your child makes an almighty mess after spending what feels like a year getting dressed. To avoid this, start a new rule that uniforms are to go on AFTER they have eaten and brushed their teeth.
Ban screen time
I can only assume that no explanation is needed. Starting from today, tell the kids that TV or tablets are for evenings and weekends only - not on a school morning. They might kick up a fuss at first, but they will soon get it and stop hounding you at the breakfast table.
Make brekkie a breeze
Talking of breakfast, have you got a slow cooker? Lash some oats with a good dollop of milk into your crockpot and put it on high the minute you get up. It will cook while you shower and prep yourself for the day. Who doesn’t love porridge on a wet and miserable or windy day?
Make lunches the night before
One of the most effective ways to help ease school morning stress and to get things running smoothly, no matter how many children you have, is to prepare school lunches the night before. In our house, we make lunches when we are making dinner. Once made, place them in the fridge along with their reusable water bottles so they can grab and go in the morning.
And finally, be consistent with these school morning hacks
Stay disciplined with your morning routine if you want it to succeed, but also remember it's not the end of the world if you are late for school - it happens to the best of us.