August 27, 2010
Getting Into a Back-to-School Morning Routine
With school starting – or perhaps already started depending on where you live – it's time to leave the lazy days of summer behind and move to the days of after-school activities, multiple schedules and homework dictating your life. At times I feel like school marks the beginning of a rollercoaster. Once you've strapped in and sat down, you're committed until the end of the ride no matter what bumps and massive hills or spinning twists may follow.
This year I have two in elementary school and one in part-time preschool with the youngest home with me all the time still. It's going to be a busy year, and I know that our mornings will have to be consistent so that everything runs smoothly.
Our Morning Routine
- Our morning routine starts the night before while planning dinner. If I'm planning to send leftovers for lunch with our children, I take that into consideration when planning quantity. I like to pack things that are easily warmed and put together without much fuss. Fried rice is always a favorite with the kids, and we make ours with everything from pork or chicken to fresh vegetables. I also pack pulled barbecue pork warmed in insulated containers with a bun on the side for them to build once it's lunchtime at school.
- In addition to packing lunches, we pick out clothing in the evening. This way, early risers can get dressed first thing rather than waiting for me to get out of the shower or finish making breakfast before they dress themselves. It also means that those sleepyheads who take their time getting out of bed won't waste even more time dawdling in front of the closet.
- Once it's morning we need to work together in order to get everything done. We start by getting everyone dressed for the day. Because the clothes are ready to go, there's no fighting over clothing selections or looking for those special pants that have the pockets just so.
- Next we eat breakfast. Either I or my 10-year-old will serve breakfast, and we try to keep it simple. Some of our favorite breakfasts are granola and yogurt or egg sandwiches with sliced ham made in the toaster. We keep them healthy and filling but quick and easy to throw together with minimal effort and cleanup.
- While the kids eat I warm up leftovers to transfer into insulated containers to be sent with and pack any refrigerated items into their lunch boxes and fill water bottles for the day.
- After breakfast, we clean up the breakfast dishes and head into the bathroom for brushing teeth and hair and any other last-minute grooming, toilet needs and whatnot.
- We then check backpacks, making sure all homework is inside, notes are signed, projects carefully packed up to be carried back to school. This is the time that we also use to relax if we have time. The younger kids will play or they may read books as the time allows.
- We're lucky in that the bus picks up the kids at the bottom of the driveway. It just so happens that the only other child on the street lives right next door, so we get curbside service. Once the older two are on the bus, I pack the younger two children into the car to head for preschool.
Figuring Out What Works
The most important part of our morning routine is just that, it's a routine. While we can drift here and there, everyone knows what needs to happen for us all to get out the door, and for the most part, they comply.
My eldest tends to need a push or three to get going in the morning and to stay on task. She is easily distracted by the cute things her youngest brother does, stopping to dote on him every five minutes. Yet she loathes being reminded to keep moving. Instead of constant nagging, I wrote the morning schedule down for her and placed it in her room. Then, I simply give her the time until the bus comes every 15 or so minutes, calling out, "Forty minutes!" and later, "Twenty minutes!" This works wonders for her, as she would rather ride the bus at this age than have to have me drive her, and she is often ready early, giving her time to read her book and play with her brother, which is what was slowing her down in the first place.
We also try to get the things that we can out of the way the night before. Picking out clothes and packing portions of their lunch take two time-consuming tasks out of the way. Additionally, it also helps in case anyone has special dress-up days where they wear certain colors that I have time to wash clothes if need be by getting that out of the way before morning.
Find out what works for your family. Obviously every child and every family is different. Think about your time restrictions and when you need to be places to fit into your daily schedule. Maybe the bus picks up your children rather early, but the kids can eat breakfast as soon as they reach school before it starts, so it makes more sense for them to get as much sleep as possible and take advantage of the breakfast at school option. Use your instincts to try to establish a routine for your family.
Remember that no routine is permanent. Just because you've been doing something for five or six months doesn't mean it will always be the thing that works. When it becomes haphazard and difficult is when you should start looking to change things up a bit.
What does your school morning routine look like?
