If you’re like most elementary school parents, you know what a struggle it can be to get everyone ready for school in the morning and out the door on time. Although you’ll likely always have mornings where things feel a little chaotic, you can reduce your stress and get out the door at a better time if you try out some of these tips.
- Prepare the night before—Get your kids to elementary school on time by getting ready for the next day the night before. Pack lunches, make sure everyone has their homework in their backpacks, lay out clothes, and complete other tasks that can help you save time in the morning.
- Wake up before your kids—This is a tough one, but you may feel more frazzled if your kids are the ones dragging you out of bed in the morning. Try to wake up before your kids do to spend a few minutes thinking through your day and getting yourself ready.
- Follow a process—Children, especially elementary school-aged children, thrive off of routine. Have your children follow a specific routine that they complete every morning. This may look something like eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and getting their backpack, or another variation of this order.
- Reward your children—Getting ready to go in the morning can be tough on your children, too, so reward them for their efforts. Don’t underestimate the power of verbal praise or the promise of spending a few moments of one-on-one time with you before you head out the door.