School has been back in session for a little over a week now which means we are all getting back on a stricter schedule. I don’t know about you, but I like it! Don’t get me wrong, the free-spirit that comes with summer is nice but by August I am ready for more predictability!
The hardest part for us about getting back into the school routine is the mornings. I am not a morning person. I really wish I was. I’m working on that. (If you have any tips on how to become one, pass them along, puhlease!) I don’t have to get the twins up in the mornings, which is a lifesaver and Rylee usually does pretty good! She can take her sweet time with getting ready sometimes but I wanted to share a couple things with you that we do that can make your mornings go much smoother!
HAVE THE STUFF READY
Every night before bedtime Rylee gets her book bag, saxophone, laptop and anything else she has to take to school, ready and by the garage door. Sometimes we go ahead and even put it in the car! (Not the laptop if it’s freezing outside!) This prevents any searching efforts in the mornings that just never seem to end well!
MAKE LUNCHES THE NIGHT BEFORE
Rylee is old enough now where she can make her own lunches but even before she was, we always got everything picked out and ready to be packed up in the mornings! The lunchbox is on the counter with everything in it that doesn’t need to be refrigerated and the cold stuff is together in the fridge! Then it takes her maybe 30 seconds to get it ready in the mornings! Boom!
LAYOUT CLOTHES AND SHOES
Luckily, Rylee has always been pretty easy going about picking out clothes for school. So every night we get clothes and shoes laid out so we don’t have to worry or argue about it in the morning! When she was younger and couldn’t match outfits just yet, but still wanting feel independent in the choosing of her outfit, I would show her two options and she would pick the one she wanted. Don’t forget to lay out everything: clothes, undies, bras, undershirts/tanks, shoes, socks, jacket, jewelry, bows, PE clothes and even practice clothes if your child needs them! ALL THE THINGS! This is probably our biggest time saver.
HAVE BREAKFAST OPTIONS READY
If your child eats breakfast at home then have a couple quick, easy and healthy breakfast options available! Some of our favorites are listed below and most of them can easily be eaten in the car.
Easy Breakfast Casserole – Our personal favorite and lasts for a couple days!
Overnight Oats
Breakfast Smoothie
Power Muffins
Honey Nut Cheerios
Banana & Blueberry Muffins
I also try to keep bananas and yogurts on hand that can be a nice addition to a hearty breakfast.
Follow my Pinterest Boards for more quick, easy and healthy breakfast options!
If we are running a little ahead of schedule we will occasionally do a drive thru breakfast or get donuts in the morning. Then other times it comes down to grabbing something random in the pantry as we run out the door. Preparing ahead of time is the best tip on having healthy options available. This doesn’t happen every single day but I really do try. Have to nurture those growing minds!
Not every morning is smooth sailing but with these 4 tips I promise you it will be less rocky! If you have any other time/sanity saving tips to survive school mornings then send them my way! If you start implementing one of these tips, let me know!
I hope everyone has a fabulous school year!
