Tips for Smooth Mornings

Now that school is back in session, it seems that life has picked up that hectic pace again. Whether you are a work-away-from-home mom or a full-time homemaker, mornings can easily become the worst part of the day as you rush to get kids out the door and off to school. Here are our family's tips for smoothing the wrinkles out of your morning.

START THE NIGHT BEFORE
Our family starts the bedtime routine as soon as we finish cleaning up dinner. "Must do"s at our home include cleaning bedrooms, setting out the next day's clothes, baths, brushing teeth, gathering homework and parent notes, defrosting water bottles, packing lunches or finding lunch money, reading stories, saying prayers and relaxing with good-night songs and kisses.

COMBAT "THE GRUMPIES" WITH MORE SLEEP
I find that mornings flow easier when my children are well rested so we have early bedtimes. I am a work at home mom, so I value the quiet time after my children are in bed when I can work uninterrupted. Besides, I need my sleep too.

MAKE TIME TO ENJOY EACH OTHER
Children hate being rushed so leave extra time for getting ready. To be at school by 8am, my son and daughter (ages 5 and 7) must rise at 6:30. They each have their own alarm clocks so that I don't need to wake everyone. Sometimes we might snuggle for a few minutes in bed. Other days we start the morning off with family prayer. Once everybody is dressed with their hair combed and their beds made, we sit down to breakfast together. We use this meal as a time to talk about what to expect during the day. I play music to set a calm atmosphere.

BE ORGANIZED
Scrambling to finish homework is not allowed at our house. It must be done immediately after school. (Cookies and milk at the same time seems to work as an incentive.) After breakfast, each child helps to wash the dishes and clear the table. They then pick and complete three chores from the job chart. Finally, we grab jackets (all hanging in one place), I grab my keys, and the children grab their backpacks off the hooks as we clamber in the car, cheerful and ready to tackle the day.