6 Tips for Creating a Morning Routine for Kids

If you are anything like me, mornings can be hectic. I always find myself stressed and out of time. There is so much to do from making and eating breakfast to packing lunches to tying shoes and making sure we at least try to go potty before we get in the car for the 30-minute drive to school and work!

Here are a few tried and true tips to help you get through those busy, chaotic mornings with young kids

1. Get yourself ready first: Wake up before your kids and get yourself fully ready first. This way you are not juggling getting you all dressed, groomed, and ready. You can focus on yourself first and then on your child.
2. Have meals ready to go: Pack lunches the night before and plan and prep breakfasts for the whole week on Sunday. Try to make breakfasts simple, easy, and nutritional; healthy items that can be microwaved or made quickly.
3. Pack all bags ahead of time: Make sure your work bag, their school bag, or any other special project or bag is laid out on the counter or by the door and ready to go the night before. This will cut down time in your morning routine and help ensure items aren’t forgotten.
4. Lay out clothes the night before: Make this part of the bedtime routine. Lay out the outfit that your child will wear the next day to have it all prepared the night before. Have them take part when possible to foster independence and create “buy-in”. This will also help you plan if there are upcoming spirit days!
5. Give plenty of ‘count-down’ warnings: Be sure to countdown minutes before you leave and let your children know when you are getting close. Children typically respond well to these verbal cues and it helps them prepare for the upcoming transition.
6. Use a morning routine checklist: Create a visual routine chart to help keep your child on task while getting ready in the morning. Kids will love being able to see all they need to accomplish before you leave, plus it  will help keep them on task and alleviate some of the stressors as you leave for school or daycare.

Here’s to hoping you can transition your mornings from a chaotic rush that has you barking orders to a seamless, stress-free and enjoyable start to the day.