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Easing the Morning Rush
By Polly | August 18, 2008
Back to school time is often a great opportunity for families to get a handle on their morning routines by minimizing the morning rush. Use these tips to help you get started.
Make breakfast simpler and quicker by scheduling daily themes. For example, make Monday’s egg day, Tuesday’s waffle day, Wednesday’s yogurt and fruit day, etc. Breakfast schedules make grocery shopping easier, prep time quicker, and are a great way of teaching and introducing routines to kids.
Set out all breakfast non-perishables and utensils the night before. Things like cereal, vitamins, bowls, spoons, cups, etc can easily be set out on the counter and table the night before and make the morning breakfast prep calmer and easier.
For parents who can’t start their day without a cup of coffee, go ahead and make the coffee the night before and set the timer so it is ready when you wake up. If your coffee pot doesn’t have a timer, go ahead and just add the water and coffee so that all you have to do is hit the brew button when you get up.
Teach kids to rinse their own dishes and place them in the dishwasher. If they are too young to rinse their own dishes, try having them at least place them in the sink or have an older sibling help.
Try and pack as much of the kids’ and your lunches the night before. Sandwiches can be made the night before and placed in the refrigerator and all non-perishable snacks and fruits can easily be placed in the lunch bag the night before as well as napkins and milk money.
Last but not least, use a chore chart to get the kids involved as much as possible, and to seal the deal add all of these tips to your daily routines.
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Pack Your Car the Night Before!
Five Strategies to Keep Families Organized this School Year
Holiday Survival Guide, Part II
Topics: Back to School Tips, Conquering the Chaos |