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Controlling Morning Madness of School Days

Cathy Judd

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School is back in session so it’s back to a routine, which has never been one of my strong virtues. Getting the kids ready for school is always a challenge! Routine is a must for calming morning madness.

I want to share a few tips that will help working moms and dads calm the morning madness:

  • Mornings go smoother if you get up at least a half-hour earlier than the kids do. If you get up ahead of the rest of the family you can shower and dress at a leisurely pace. If you are ready, you have more time to help them get organized and it makes for a less hectic morning.
  • Don’t pack too much into your mornings, such as washing and folding a load of clothes, and making beds. Leave some time for you to share a little relaxed time with your children. This time is a chance to connect with your child over breakfast before they are off to a full day of school. If your mornings are filled with yelling, instructions and reminders, your child could go off to school feeling pulled, tugged and bothered.
  • Kids feel secure in a routine. Routines help them know what activities follow each other, such as getting dressed, eating breakfast, putting dishes in the sink, washing their face, combing their hair, and brushing their teeth. Give your child non-verbal attention, a pat on the back, or a smile to let them know you are proud of them for being on track.
  • Get as much together the night before. Kids should finish homework and pack books and gym clothes. Children can bring pen and permission slips to parents in the evening to sign.
  • Wake up goes more smoothly if everyone is well rested. Five to nine year olds need about ten hours of sleep; pre-teens should get nine hours.
  • Have child lay out clothes the night before. Remind your children if the clothes don’t make it to the laundry basket, they don’t get washed. If their favorite shirt or jeans are not cleaned, that can cause a bad morning.
  • Research has proven that a healthy breakfast helps children do better in school on mental performance tests. Make time for a healthy breakfast (one that provides 25 percent of their daily nutrition requirements).
  • Make periodical announcement how much time is left before the bus comes or you have to leave; “fifteen minutes before the bus arrives/or I pull out of the carport.”
  • Kids should have a place to keep their shoes, backpacks, and any other special sports equipment/dance bags, etc. A daily special location will eliminate last minute, “where is it?”I put a hook on the back door in the laundry room for backpacks and dance bags when my girls were in school.
  • Before you send your child off, remind him/her of any special after school instructions, such as after school appointments, sports activities, etc.

Sending your children off to school with a good attitude starts with a good morning. Organizing is the key to keeping a sane household in a hectic work/school schedule in the mornings.

8/15/2018 2:37:47 PM
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