Getting Your Kids Off to School in the Morning
Face it, with the onset of cold weather and the end of daylight savings even YOU don’t want to get out of bed in the morning! No wonder its gotten harder to get the kids up and out on school days. We’ve asked all the moms we know and checked with some professionals for tips that work. This is what we learned:
1. Get the kids to bed on time
Getting the kids to bed on time will help ensure that they aren’t extra sleepy in the morning from lack of sleep. Its tough enough to pry them from the warm and cozy cocoon of their beds…so lets not make it any harder than it has to be. If you are having trouble getting the kids to bed on time work on establishing a bedtime routine (bath, brush teeth, read books, lights out). Allow one hour for the bedtime routine. Make sure there’s no tv in the bedtime routine (no one wants to pull themselves away from their favorite show before its over). You’ve heard this a million times before but it’s a good time to remember that kids crave routine and actually do better with a routine and structure. Its going to take a week or so but before long it will be much easier. Keep in mind too that Mondays are going to be harder than Tuesdays so try to stick with the bedtime routine on Sunday night.
2. Do all prep work the night before
Make sure everyone’s clothes, shoes, hats, and coats are set for the next day (including your own). Pack backpacks and as much of the lunch that can be packed in advance. Have everything ready to leave for school and/or work so that you’ll have less to do in the morning. Take your shower the night before. This will free up valuable time in the morning.
3. Have the kids get dressed first
Have the kids get dressed and groomed before doing anything else. From there move on to eating breakfast and if your kids typically watch tv in the morning tv. TV can be a major distracter and slow things down dramatically. This may take some coaxing…try to make it fun. Let your kids get dressed under the blanket with the help of a flash light.
4. Create an incentive
Give your child a gold star for every day that you leave on time and after 10 stars in a row reward her with a small treasure.
5. Count down
Give your kids a 15 minute warning. Ten minute warning. Five minute warning…you get the idea. This way no one will be surprised when its time to go. |
