As it is time for the kids to get back into the school schedule, chaos can easily ensue in the early hours of the day, creating traffic at the doorway. While this is a common occurrence during this time of the year, it does not have to stay that way. With small and intentional changes, mornings can flow with ease and not chaos.
First and foremost, do not overcomplicate a routine. A popular acronym to remember is K.I.S.S. or “Keep it simple… sweetie”. Focus on the bare basics of you and your family’s daily needs in a routine, and it will fall into place easier than anticipated. This also goes for meals, plans, and – dare we say – ensembles in a morning rush. Understated and simple can be exactly what is needed in all areas most time.
Morning and nighttime routines can also be a game-changer if your day-to-day routine is constant and easy to anticipate. Again, stick to the bare basics first, and as you find yourself absent-mindedly engaging in your routine, add to it if you would like. A great tip for creating second-nature routines, if time tends to slip away from you or those in your family, is to implement audio cues. Use alarms or songs that signal the next step in the routine, keeping you and everyone else on time without having to say anything.
Having a designated area in your home for daily belongings can make all the difference on busy mornings. A place for keys, purses, book bags, and any other weekday essentials for those in your family can lessen the stress and time in finding items at the last minute. This will ensure coming and going from home is effortless and organized, reducing any “rush hour” traffic at the doorway.
Meal prepping goes a long way. Whether that means carving out a few hours one day to prepare breakfasts, lunches, and or dinners at the start of the week, or the night before, this will significantly lessen time spent getting things together before leaving in the morning, or the possibility of going without a meal due to lack of time.
This last tip may be a bit controversial… get yourself ready before everyone else if others in your home heavily rely on you for their morning structure. You cannot take care of everyone else if you are not taken care of and in a position to give that full attention and energy to others. You cannot fill others from an empty cup, and this applies to all areas of life, not just morning routines.
On that note, if you have independent kids, set up a checklist of their routines to allow them to get themselves ready, furthering that real-world preparation and independence.
Hopefully, one or more of these tips will lessen the early morning or evening chaos during this transitional time in everyone’s lives!
