School is back in for most and will be starting soon for many others and I wanted to share our getting out the house routine. I want to help you create the best school year possible however I can. As a mom to school aged children, I understand how cumbersome this task can be throughout the year can be and I wanted to share as much insight on the topic as possible to help as many parents as possible.
Last school year, this was where most headaches were had for me and let me tell you; it was so discouraging. Over the summer, I made it a priority create a routine that would force me to prepare for this year school year and ensure that we got out the door in record time while also being fully prepared!
Here are my top tips:
- Have all outfits out, ironed at night.
- Honestly, I do this on Friday night when I’m done with laundry. My routine is baskets of clean clothes, Netflix, and a Limeade slush from Sonic. If I get into a good documentary, I can do this for hours and hours and hours LOL. But seriously, once I’m done, I go ahead and set our pajamas, outfits, and underwear for the next week or two. It takes up a good bit of time on the front end, but it saves so many headaches for the mornings to come.
- Gas up in the evenings.
- I have read many studies that say getting gas in the morning saves money at the pump, but in some instances, time is more valuable than money. For me, this is one of those instances. I full up my car after I wash and/or vacuum it on Sunday afternoon. I also plan to refill at ½ a tank about twice during the week, due to my long commute. I typically plan to do that on Wednesday and Friday afternoons (obviously this can change). But for me filling up at ½ saves me more money than filling up in the morning, which is a option that can have me late for taking the kids to school or even getting myself to work.
- Breakfast and Lunch
- My kids each lunch at school because it’s easier for everyone involved. They don’t eat breakfast at school and their teachers do request a snack for them because breakfast and lunch are so far apart. I try to pack health conscience snacks for the boys. They have these thermoses that I place in the freezer at night so the contents remain cold throughout the day. I unpackage fruit and veggies, and Ziploc cheeses, unbox yogurt, etc. on the weekends so I can just toss them in their snack bags and thermos quickly in the morning, or the night before.
- For Breakfast, I offer non-perishable options and will typically have them in the car the night before. i.e. Cereal, pop-tarts, granola bars, cereal bars, etc.
- Bookbags and workbags
- Once homework is done, documents are signed, and books are read the bookbags go back into the car at night. Same goes for my work bag, once I’m done with my workbag, I place it back in the car. It becomes one less thing I have to concern myself with in the morning.
- Need to do’s only!
- So, when trying to get out of the house, only focus on what needs to happen to get out the door. No checking emails, or Facebook, text messages, games scores, or trying to squeeze in a quick load of laundry. Nothing. Get up and Get out. That’s it.
I will attest that if you do these things those morning headaches will get less and less frequent and intense. Also, as many of you know, a good start in the morning will help you and the kids maintain balance thought out the day.
Good luck and let me know if you use any of these tips!
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