Organising Those Dreaded Back To School Mornings

School morning multitasking can be a parent’s worst nightmare. We dash around the house juggling between making lunches, seeing that the kids have all the right stuff in their school bags and school uniforms on. Then there are the constant reminders to get their shoes on, comb their hair and brush their teeth so that they can get to school and into class on time. Rushing the kids in the morning is more often than not met with resistance.

A lack of preparation and patience can turn a hectic morning into a very stressful event for parents and kids alike. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a bit of training and prep work we can develop a routine to get the kids out of the door more efficiently and with minimal fuss.

As parents we are their guides, trainers and motivators. There are steps we can take to achieve the best results possible.

Here are some ideas to help get your kids into a school morning routine that will also help families keep their cool and become better organised.

1. A week before school is due to commence write down list of what is expected that each child should do every morning. The younger they are the more help they will need in keeping with this schedule. Young kids who can’t read may want a chart drawn up in pictures.

2. A week before school is due to start put the kids to bed early. If they don’t fall asleep right away, you can give them a book to read quietly. The idea is to let them rest and get settled. Eventually they’ll become tired and fall asleep.

3. Start having early nights yourself and make it an everyday practice to wake up early in the morning before the kids are up to get yourself ready. This way you will be prepared to assist them with anything they need and have time to prepare yourself for the day ahead without interruptions to your routine.

4. Prepare lunches and uniforms either the night before or get it out of the way in the morning before the kids wake up.

5. To avoid morning hassles its best not to let the kids get into a habit of playing on computers or electronic devices in the morning. This will only make them want not want to leave the house.

6. Remind the kids of what is expected of them. The younger they are the more prompting they’ll need. Older kids sometimes need additional help as well.

7. Sometimes you need to spell it out. For the younger kids you can begin with saying things like, “now that your socks are on, it’s time to put your shoes on.” As they get older you can give them one word promptings like, “shorts” or “shoes”. Keep an eye on the kids when they begin to play or do other things. You might then say, “What’s next on your list”? Reward good behaviour and give them praise for a job well done.

8. Try not to yell at kids or lose your temper. Kids need clear communication and instruction. Also we don’t want to send them angry and upset to school. This is counterproductive.

9. Kids need to know what is expected of them. The routine will help them get out of the door on time and may help to give them an understanding of how to eventually do it independently without assistance.

Proverbs 22:26

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Sources:
The on time back to school morning routine by Alex Brooks.
http://www.kidspot.com.au/school/stuff-for-school/getting-organised/the-on-time-back-to-school-morning-routine