Take the Stress Out of Getting to School and Work on Time
Do your mornings become part of a world that seems to thrive on stress? Decision-making left until morning? Parents trying to get themselves to work, as well as get their kids off to school? Two hours packed with anxiety-inducing rushing around? Regularly wishing at 7 AM that you had prepped the night before?
Since you already know what needs to be accomplished each morning, execute as many getting-ready-to-go decisions as possible the night before so that you can all easily get through the morning routine.
- What are you going to wear?
- Check your calendar – often you need to make a wardrobe decision based on events such as meetings (for you) or field trips (for your kids).
- Check the weather forecast – even though the weather man isn’t always 100% correct, it’s good to be prepared beforehand. When you know there’s a good chance of rain, gather rain jackets, boots and umbrellas the night before. If an arctic blast is predicted, then get out the heavy winter coats and hang them in the hall to grab on the way out, along with other winter weather accessories.
- What other things will you need?
- During the school year, a habit of packing your briefcases and backpacks the night before is important. Have the kids find forms and papers that need to be checked and/or signed by mom and dad. Tuck homework safely into a folder so that it will be turned in on time.
- What are you going to eat for breakfast?
- Make sure you are stocked up on all of the family’s favorite breakfast essentials.
- Create a breakfast bar to make it easier for your kids to prepare their own cereal or oatmeal while you are busy making your own coffee and meal.
- What are the lunch plans?
- If your kids prefer homemade lunches, mornings are so much easier if the lunch is already boxed up and ready to grab and go.
- What are the extracurricular activities on the family calendar for the next day?
- If the kids need specific sports gear, or music for lessons, it makes sense to put that in the car so that you won’t forget it the next day.
Just imagine how good it will feel to wake up and have all of these things already accomplished! There will actually be time for everyone to have a healthy breakfast…and there may even be enough time to sit down and eat it together! Reading the morning’s news will be the only thing on your to do list. When the time comes to head out the door, everyone will know exactly what they need to take with them. A positive—and calm—tone will have been set that everyone will carry with them through their busy day.
