How to Create a School Morning Routine for Your Kids
Summer is not my favorite. We live in a city that gets brutally hot, my kids seem to be even busier and we have 9 am drop offs. I am not a fan.
Some people love the later drop offs, more relaxed mornings and less rushing. For me, it stresses me out. I try to get my kids to get ready right after breakfast, but all they want to do is play. Then, it’s really time to get ready and there’s so much push back! Plus, I am constantly forgetting something. This morning, I forgot Boomer’s sunscreen and got some on his face before we headed out the door. Many mornings, I forget vitamins. There’s just too much time for me to be productive.
During the school year, we have 30 minutes from when my kids wake up until we get out the door. Everyone knows what to do and we all get through each task. I don’t try to get other tasks done because I know there is no time. We all have our routine with the goal of getting out the door with a tidy kitchen.
Needless to say, I cannot wait for the morning routine of school mornings!
Routines are Important for Kids
Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. A consistent daily schedule and step-by-step routines give children a predictable day.
When I was a teacher, we had routines and schedules for our kids in class. I taught middle and high school math. So each class period, the kids knew what was expected. We had something for them to work on when they came in the class, whole group instruction, small group instruction and independent practice, and then ended with an exit ticket where I evaluated what they learned. It worked well. Once the kids new what to do, class went smoothly.
The same principles can be applied at home. When kids know what the schedule or routine is, they are able to follow it and everything runs smoothly. On one hand, it helps them feel secure and know what is coming next. I also like the confidence it provides kids.
At age 6, my eldest does his whole checklist on his home (with little reminders from me). However, my reminders are just “What’s Next on Your Checklist?” He is in charge of his whole morning.
Even my 18 month old daughter wants to do her afternoon routine as soon as we walk in the door and says (in 18 month old speak) “checklist.” She knows that we have a routine when we get home from school that we do every day. As she gets older, this will just be part of her routine.
Evaluate Your Current Routine (Or Last Year’s Before School Routine)
When it comes to finding a routine that works for you, I want you to think about your current morning routine with your kids or if it works better, your routine from last school year. Even if you don’t think you had a routine, you did.
When did your kids wake up in the morning? What did they do? What was your breakfast routine (including how do you know what’s for breakfast)? What do your kids do? What do you do? What does your spouse do?
A lot of this is going to depend on your kids’ ages but take a moment to write down what the mornings were like.
Then, evaluate how you think they went. How did your kids act going out the door? How did you feel? Did you get to school on time?
This information will help when it comes to creating a new morning routine for school mornings going forward.
Decide How You’d Like Your Morning to Look
Now that you have looked at what happens now or what happened last year, what would you like to happen?
In our house, the boys get up and come down to an already made breakfast and eat. The eldest is already dressed for school. During this time, I get little sister and she joins her brothers in eating. After eating, they take their vitamins, brush teeth and pack their backpacks with already packed lunches and snacks. This is when the younger two get dressed (they can’t be trusted to eat and not spill on their school clothes). Then shoes on and out the door.
Breakfast is already decided and the two choices stay the same throughout the month. This makes it easy on me! Currently, I’m either making frozen waffles or oatmeal. Lunches are packed the night before and in the fridge.
A few things will be changed as the kids are getting older, but for the most part, it will stay the same.
As you think through what needs to be done, make sure you have enough time to get everything done. And considering your kids and their ages, what can they confidently do on their own now and what do you need to help build their confidence in doing?
Create Your Routine and Write It Down for Kids
Once you figure out your ideal morning routine, write down the steps for your kids. This will help them take ownership of their mornings and help you nag them less! My kids have a checklist and they know what needs to be done. Boomer won’t even go out of order (that’s his personality for sure)! If your kids aren’t reading yet, add pictures. Plus, once you go through it a few times, they’ll know exactly what to do. Raleigh could connect the pictures at age 2-3 and know what needed to be done for each routine. Now, he doesn’t even need them because he has memorized what to do!
I like to put the routines in a dry erase folder so my kids can check them off each morning. Or, just hang it up somewhere they can see it. That way, they don’t have to ask you what they need to do next.
And give them time, they are kids. It takes the parents staying consistent to really help the kids learn what to do!
Mom’s Evening Routine For a Stress-Free Morning
We’ve all heard it a thousand times. To have a successful morning, you need to start the night before. Especially if you prefer to get out of bed right when your children do.
Pack lunches the night before (or batch a few over the weekend). Set out what you can for breakfast. Get the coffee ready to go. Confirm your kids know what to do in the morning. Go to bed on time!
This will help everything run more smoothly and curb the meltdowns!
Take some time this week to create your morning routine and communicate it to your family!
