4 Tips to Simplify Your Morning Routine With Kids!

We've all been there... scrambling at the last minute each morning, inevitably running late for appointments and school drop-offs. When my little guy entered preschool 3 days a week this year, I figured it would be no big deal. Surely we'd be able to get out of the house each morning for the 9 AM start time. Then, real life happens - every single day. My toddler is cranky, I'm exhausted and dragging my feet, my phone is ringing, we're out of bread and I need to get creative for lunch packing... all of those little obstacles tack on another 5 minutes here and there, leaving us feeling rushed and most often late. After a few months of that, I made a promise to myself that I'd get prepared and get our mornings running more smoothly. Here are my top tips to simplify your life!

4 Tips to Simplify Your Morning Routine With Kids

Start the night before: This is probably the most helpful tip to smooth sailing in the AM. Every night before you put your kids to bed, pick out their clothing for the next morning and lay it out for them. I can remember being a kid and trying on all of my clothing and proclaiming that I had "NOTHING to wear!". Help avoid this problem by selecting clothes (or helping them pick out their outfit) the night before. This is especially helpful if your kids have theme days at school and they need to wear a certain color; you'll know whether or not you need to throw in a quick load of laundry. Also, be sure to check your supplies for packing lunches. I'd even recommended making lunches the night before and having them ready to go. I do this after dinner, before I clean our kitchen for the night.

Wake up at least 30 minutes before your kids: I didn't realize how important waking a little earlier than my little guy is, but it really gives me a chance to have sort through my thoughts and have a little "me" time. I can also drink a HOT cup of coffee to get my day started.

Make a predictable schedule and stick with it: Kids thrive on routine and it's easier for them to accomplish tasks when they know what to expect and what is expected of them. Do things every morning in the same order - wake, make bed, sit down to breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth, check backpack, and so on. You can even make a handy chart to display. A chart can be really great for toddlers too; you can use images instead of words so they know what comes next.

Give them a good start: We've all heard it - breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That's because it's true - especially for kids! Their growing bodies and developing brains need fuel often and breakfast helps them get started on the right foot. You don't have to whip up food from scratch to get your kids a hearty breakfast though, there are great options right in the frozen food section that can save you time. There are organic pancakes and waffles, breakfast burritos - you name it! Just cut up some fruit the night before and you've got a hearty breakfast on the fly.

I especially love how kid friendly these burritos are. Getting my little guy to sit still can be a challenge, but with a burrito he can just grab it and go. If you've got a child that's not a big fan of eating breakfast, try a smoothie. I keep frozen berries and juice on hand so I can whip up a smoothie within 45 seconds on mornings when we're running late.

What tips do you have to ensure you have a smooth morning routine?
I'd love to hear them!

First image credit: Nadia Cruzova/Dollar Photo Club.