I needed a plan.
My youngest was starting school. And I was headed back to work for the first time since our kids were born.
Our mornings were going to look much different than they ever had. And I knew that some kind of school morning routine list would be necessary to keep us on track.
Trial and error…
That was two years ago. Since then, we’ve navigated all different kinds of school mornings.
And learned a thing or two in the process.
Our mornings are still far from perfect. We have days that we run late. Or forget things.
And I have a lot of work to do in the area of patience and grace as we tackle the start of our day.
But our family has found a rhythm that works. We’ve discovered a few key tips that keep our school mornings running smoothly. And helps everyone get out the door on time.
Our school morning routine list…
Start your day right.
The number one thing you can do to get everyone’s day headed in the right direction?
Spend time with Jesus.
It’s easy to skip reading the Bible or praying on harried school mornings. Trust me, I know.
(Read about my journey to take back my quiet time here.)
But it’s vital that you don’t. Beginning your day with even a short Bible passage and a few minutes of prayer will set your heart right.
You’ll be better equipped to handle whatever the day throws your way. And much more prepared to pass that same peace along to your kids as everyone heads out the door.
Pack lunches the night before.
The second most important item on the school morning routine list is preparation. You’ll be amazed at how much time you can save in the morning by preparing the night before.
One of those time savers is lunch packing. I pack our lunches while my kids get ready for bed. And they’re responsible for packing their own snacks.
Part of their bedtime routine includes picking out two healthy snacks and putting them in their backpacks. I stick their lunches in the fridge around the same time.
Then it’s all ready for the next day.
Lay out clothes the night before.
Figuring out and tracking down what to wear can also cause a whole lot of stress if left until the last minute.
So, my kids also lay out their clothes as part of their bedtime routine. Every last piece, down to socks and hair ribbons, is placed in a (sometimes) neat pile on their floor.
And while they’re showering or completing nighttime chores, I plan out what I’m going to wear too. Then, I make sure necessary items are ironed and accessories are ready.
And we have an important rule for school mornings-no outfit changes allowed. My kids know that whatever they choose the night before is what they’re wearing the next day. There simply isn’t time to pick out something different.
It makes the morning so much easier when all these decisions are already made!
Designate a place for backpacks.
Tracking down missing homework or a runaway backpack can quickly cause the morning to spiral.
Designate a special spot for backpacks to be placed the night before. Teach your kids to check that all necessary items are included before they go to bed.
Many families keep backpacks by the door. This is a great idea!
Our kids place them by the clothes they’ve laid out for the following day. That makes it easy for them to double check that the backpack is ready as part of their nighttime routine.
We also take a quick look at the weather for the next day. They add any jackets or coats they might need. Those items are included with the pile of things that will make it out the door the next day.
Get up before your kids.
Few things are less stressful than trying to get the entire family ready to go while you’re still half asleep. Allow yourself the luxury of at least a few quiet minutes to get ready before the alarms start ringing across the rest of the house.
Plan in time for a shower and Bible reading/prayer. Even if that means getting up earlier than you might like.
I’ve got to admit…I despise my alarm clock. I’m a multiple snooze button kind of girl.
But I have to overcome the urge to snuggle back in and shut my eyes if I want my morning to begin well.
Set alarms for everyone.
Granted, it can be a tad annoying to hear alarms buzzing all over the house. Especially if your kids choose to ignore them instead of getting up to turn them off!
But there are many benefits to each child having their own alarm clock.
It saves time when you don’t have to individually wake up each kiddo. And if your children are anything like mine, they’ll wake up quicker to an alarm than a wake-up call from mom.
It’s also a valuable tool for training independence.
Not to mention a necessary life skill!
Plan easy breakfasts.
A healthy breakfast can be one of the first things to go when mornings are crazy. But starting the day with a nutritious meal is important for everyone in your family.
So, try not to skip it.
On the other hand, keep those meals quick and simple. Pick items that require little or no prep time. Our go-to’s include whole grain toast, bagels, waffles, or English muffins. My kids pair that with yogurt and fresh or frozen fruit.
Another option is choosing items that can be prepared before-hand. Consider hard-boiled eggs, steel cut oatmeal in the crockpot, or breakfast burritos.
And don’t forget to eat yourself! You’re going to need that energy to make the most of your day.
Give your kids as much responsibility as possible.
Children (like most adults) love to be in control! So, take advantage of that desire and use it to help train independence.
Teach your kids how to get ready on their own. Even very small children can dress themselves and make their beds.
Start off small with simple tasks. Gradually increase the amount and difficulty of their responsibilities.
And make sure those training sessions don’t take place on busy school mornings! Start in the summer. Or use the weekends to practice.
But whatever tasks they’re assigned on school days should be things they already have down pat.
Some tasks to start with might include: picking out clothes, dressing themselves, brushing their hair, packing snacks, making beds, getting out and cleaning up their own breakfast, filling water bottles, and double-checking backpacks for all necessary items.
Dole out as much responsibility as they prove they can handle. And be prepared-they will probably surprise you with how much they can do!
Use timers.
A simple white kitchen timer has been an invaluable part of our school morning routine list.
My girls naturally move slow and get distracted easily.
And to be honest, so do I.
So, the use of a timer in the morning is a necessity in our house.
My kids get 15 minutes to eat breakfast. When the timer goes off, they know it’s time to clear the table.
Accordingly, they’re allowed 25 minutes to get ready. That includes everything they need to do to be prepared to walk out the door.
Set family goals and use rewards/consequences.
Talk to your kids about the importance of being on time. It’s a habit they’ll need all throughout their lives.
Come up with a plan together. Encourage teamwork and accountability.
Consider using rewards to encourage timely behavior and implement consequences when they dawdle.
For example, if my children are ready to walk out the door before the 25 minute kitchen timer dings, they earn the privilege to watch one pre-approved television show later that day. Screen time is limited in our house, so this is a huge incentive for them.
On the other hand, if they don’t make it, they have to practice the entire routine again as soon as we return home that evening. Before snacks, playing outside, or relaxing they have to re-do everything on the school morning routine list.
This gets old pretty fast, so it’s a good incentive to kick it in high gear each morning!
Every child is different and each family is unique. Most likely, what works for my kids may not work for yours. But find something that’s effective and then be consistent in holding them accountable.
Remember that every morning is a fresh start.
We may have found a school morning routine that works.
But it’s far from perfect.
And so are we.
Some mornings are just hard. Sometimes we’re late. And every so often one us needs a good attitude adjustment.
When those days come, hand out grace and mercy freely. And remind everyone that the next morning is a chance to try it again.
Feel good about your day…
There’s nothing worse than parting ways for the day feeling sick to the stomach about how the morning played out.
On the other hand, sending everyone on their way with smiles on their faces and peace in their hearts is hard to beat.
Knowing you worked together as a team to successfully accomplish a pretty hard task is a great way to start the day. And hopefully this school morning routine list will help you do just that!
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