A Stress-Free School Morning Routine: 10 Tips To Make Things Easier

Are you tired of those chaotic, rushed school mornings filled with stress, tantrums, and forgotten homework assignments? Well, take a deep breath and relax because I’ve got your back. As a mom of two elementary school kids, I’m here to share my tips and tricks, so that you too can have a stress-free school morning routine.

I’m sharing practical strategies to streamline your mornings, from prepping the night before to fostering a calm and organized environment. Say goodbye to frantic mornings and hello to smooth, peaceful starts to your day.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to reclaim your mornings with me as we embark on this journey toward a stress-free school morning routine. Let’s do this!

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Creating A Stress-Free School Morning Routine

Creating the best school morning routine for kids is essential for setting them up for success and fostering a positive mindset throughout the day. A well-structured routine not only ensures that children arrive at school on time but also helps them start their day with a sense of calm, organization, and readiness to learn.

To establish an effective routine, it’s crucial to prioritize several key elements. First, setting consistent wake-up times allows children to adjust to a regular schedule, promoting healthy sleep habits and reducing morning grogginess.

Planning ahead the night before, such as preparing school clothes and packing backpacks, eliminates last-minute stress and ensures that everything is in order.

Additionally, incorporating healthy habits like a nutritious breakfast and time for personal hygiene sets a positive tone for the day, boosting children’s energy levels and mental focus.

By implementing a well-crafted school morning routine, parents can create an environment that supports their children’s physical, emotional, and academic well-being, fostering a smooth and successful start to each day.

10 Tips For A Stress-Free Morning Before School

1. Make Sure Everyone Gets Enough Sleep

Most sleep routines go out the window once summer break hits. Late nights and late mornings are sure to throw everyone off. So when should you get the kiddos back on track? Not the night before the first day of school! Kids need time to adjust, so make sure to get everyone on a good sleep schedule at least a week before school starts. And make sure to get enough sleep yourself too. It’s not easy dealing with cranky kids and meltdowns when you aren’t rested either.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has recommended that children aged 6–12 years should sleep 9–12 hours each night and teenagers aged 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours each night. My kids don’t always meet these requirements during the summer months, so it’s important to get them back on track before the first week of school.

2. Prepare For School Mornings The Night Before

One of the easiest ways to make things run smoothly in the morning is to prepare as much as possible the night before. This means packing backpacks, setting out clothes, and anything else you can do to make things easier.

Backpacks – Clear out your child’s backpack as soon as they get home from school. Check to see if there are any papers to sign or any flyers with information you might need. If you have time right then, add any necessary information to your calendar or to-do list. Then put paperwork in a designated spot to retrieve later. Make sure backpacks are hung up and ready to go for the next morning.

Clothes – Have your kids choose their outfit the night before school. This will save time and your sanity, lol. You will also want to check if there are any specific spirit days that week or special occasions to dress for. Have shoes ready to go by the door- this includes you and shoes for the little ones too. And make sure you have sneakers if they have gym class!

Lunch – Food prep! Go ahead and prep whatever food you can the night before, or even a week before. You can always put together snack bags or lunch portions at the start of the week, for a quick grab-n-go. And here’s my favorite tip- if your young child is picky and likes to stick to only a few things for lunch, that’s ok! You don’t need a ton of different options, you just need them to eat and have energy throughout the day. You can expand their options at dinner time or on weekends. Be sure to check out my favorite lunch boxes HERE.

This all may seem like a lot of work, but it will save you time and help with a stress-free school morning routine.

3. Make Sure Everything Is In The Right Place

When you’re running around trying to get everyone out the door, the last thing you want is to be searching for things. So make sure everything has a designated spot and that everyone knows where it is. This includes backpacks, school materials, shoes, coats, lunch boxes, etc.

There should be a place near the door for everyone to put their things as they’re getting ready to leave. This way, you can quickly grab everything and go.

If there are two parents in the home, make sure both parents know where everything is. Communication is key, and this will be especially helpful when unexpected things happen such as sickness.

4. Include Your Child In The Planning Process

When you involve your child in the planning process, they will be more likely to stick to the routine. This means sitting down with them and going over what needs to be done each morning. Write it down or make a chart so they can see it and check things off as they go. My daughters love when they have a visual of what is going on, especially one they’ve created for themselves.

If they are old enough, have them help prep things the night before. For younger children, you can set a timer for each task so they know how long they have. This will help them stay on track and avoid getting overwhelmed.

5. Create Visuals For Your Kids

For some kids, visuals are key to helping them understand and follow a routine. This could be a picture chart with the steps of getting ready for school, or a simple list that they can check off. You can also use a visual timer to help them see how much time they have for each task. Check out some options HERE.

There are many apps and websites that offer free printables, so you can find something that works for your family. Check out this list of Morning Routine Apps for kids.

6. Wake Up Before Your Kids

This is probably the most important tip on this list. If you can, wake up before your kids so you can have some time to yourself. This will help you feel less stressed and rushed in the morning.

I use this time to enjoy a cup of coffee, check my email, or just take a few deep breaths. I like to do my Bible study during this time as well. It sets a good tone for my morning. Trust me, it will make a world of difference.

7. Start The Day Off In A Good Mood

Set the tone for the day by starting off in a good mood. Greet your kids with a smile and try to avoid getting angry or frustrated. If you need to, take a few deep breaths before you start the morning routine. This will help you stay calm and collected throughout the day.

Check out this list of The Best Songs To Wake Up To In The Morning.

8. Make Your School Morning Routine Fun

If you can make your school morning routine fun, your kids will be more likely to cooperate. This doesn’t mean that you need to turn it into a party, but you can try adding some elements that they enjoy.

For example, you can let them pick out their clothes for the day or listen to their favorite music while they get ready. If you make it a positive experience, they will be more likely to stick with it.

It’s also ok to have a quiet morning with your kids as they get ready. Both of my kids need some time to wake up in the morning. You know your kids, so do what’s best for them.

9. Stay Calm

Even if everything doesn’t go according to plan, try to stay calm and have a good day. Things will happen and there will be days when the routine is more of a struggle. But if you can stay positive and take it one step at a time, you’ll get through it, I promise.

Even if the entire morning seems like a failure, you can always turn it around before school drop-off. If you need to apologize for yelling, do it. If your kid needs a hug even after they’ve acted like a brat, just hug them. It will make everyone feel better.

10. Adjust Your Routine As Needed

As your kids grow and change, you may need to adjust your school morning routine. For example, you might need to add more time for certain tasks or take some things out altogether.

Don’t be afraid to make changes as needed. The most important thing is that you find a system that works for your family and stick with it.

Should I Let My Kids Have Screen Time Before School?

I firmly believe that the decision of whether or not to allow screen time before school in the mornings should be left to each individual family. It’s a choice that depends on various factors, including family values, routines, and the specific needs and dynamics of the children involved.

While some families may prefer to limit screen time in the morning, opting for alternative activities such as reading, engaging in creative play, or having meaningful conversations, other families may find that screen time can be a helpful tool in their morning routine.

Both of my children like to have quiet mornings. They don’t enjoy talking a lot when they wake up, and honestly I don’t either. They eat breakfast while having time on their iPads and then we all get ready for the day. This works for us and you should do whatever works for your family.

The Number One Secret To A Stress-Free School Morning

The number one secret to a stress-free school morning routine is to do what works best for your family. Every family is unique, with different dynamics, schedules, and individual needs. What may work for one family might not necessarily work for another. It’s important to acknowledge and embrace this reality when crafting your morning routine.

Consider the specific dynamics of your family. Are you a single parent juggling multiple responsibilities? Do you have more than one child with different ages and school schedules? Understanding your family’s dynamics is crucial in determining the most effective routine that suits everyone’s needs.

Take into account your family’s schedule and commitments. Assess the time you have available in the mornings and identify any potential challenges. Do you have to account for long commutes or early extracurricular activities? Understanding these factors will help you create a realistic and manageable routine.

Moreover, pay attention to the individual needs and preferences of your children. Some kids are naturally early birds and thrive with an earlier wake-up time, while others may need a gentler start to their mornings. Consider their unique personalities and energy levels when designing the routine.

Flexibility is also key. While having a consistent routine is important, it’s equally important to be adaptable when circumstances require it. Life happens, unexpected events occur, and sometimes routines need to be adjusted. Being open to change and having backup plans can help you navigate these situations without adding unnecessary stress.

Ultimately, the secret to a stress-free school morning routine lies in finding what works best for your family’s dynamics, schedule, and individual needs. By tailoring the routine to your specific circumstances, you’ll create an environment that promotes a sense of calm as you start each day together.

Road Blocks That Can Disrupt A Smooth School Morning Routine

Creating a smooth school morning routine can sometimes be challenging due to various roadblocks. Here are some common obstacles that can disrupt a smooth morning routine:

Breakfast Battles: Indecisiveness or disagreements about breakfast choices can lead to delays or skipping this crucial meal altogether.

Wardrobe Dilemmas: Difficulty choosing outfits or searching for specific clothing items can waste time and create frustration.

Traffic or Transportation Delays: Unforeseen traffic congestion or transportation issues can disrupt the entire schedule and cause stress.

Identifying these roadblocks can help parents proactively address and find solutions to create a smoother morning routine.

A school morning routine can make a world of difference for your family. By taking some time to plan and prepare, you can make things run more smoothly. And with a little practice, it will become second nature. So give it a try and see how it goes!

Do you have any tips for a stress-free school morning routine? Share them in the comments below!

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