It’s been one week since Hudson went back to school, and I forgot how crazy things get! We were a bit off of our routine, but now things are falling back into place. So today I have 4 tips to start your weekday off right!
1. Prep the Night Before: Everyone should know this one by now. It is HUGE! Whatever you can get done at night.. do it. For us, it means setting out Hudson’s school uniform and I try to pick out my clothes for work as well. Also, I prep and chop veggies for everyone’s lunch, and plan what we will have for dinner, in case I need to take stuff out of the freezer and put it in the fridge. I make sure homework and school papers are in his backpack and ready to go.
2. Rise & Shine: If your kids wake up in a good mood, your morning will be easier. This is a fact. So do what you can to make that happen. Hudson is a total grouch in the morning. So I start waking him up earlier, so he has time. (I mean, I don’t like to jump right out of bed, either) I will go in his room while its still dark and whisper “Good Morning, Sunshine!” I will tell him what a beautiful, fun day he has to look forward to. Then I will ask if he is still tired, to which he always says, “Yes.” Then I tell him he can sleep for 5 for minutes. When I go back in, I open one of his window shades to let some natural light in. The little bit of extra time is worth it, I think everyone likes to ease into the day!
3. Don’t stress out: We all have days when we are late. Try to take a deep breath and don’t stress out. If you woke up late, don’t take it out on the kids. Yelling at them to get ready faster because your alarm didn’t go off isn’t fair. Just do the best you can to rush out the door, but try to stay calm.
4. Breakfast is Important: A good breakfast will help you start your day off right. Which is why I always have some quick, to-go options for days when we are rushed. For me, I’ll make a smoothie or grab my coffee along with some fruit & greek yogurt. For Hudson, I have been really loving the Super Nutrition Shakes from Happy Family. Each shake contains 8 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 21 vitamins and minerals, so I know he is getting a good ‘meal’ that will keep him full until lunch. He can drink them in the car on the way to school… or chug it quickly before we leave. Last week, he wanted to ride his bike to school, but we had to rush out the door if we wanted to make it to his class in time… and he hadn’t had breakfast yet, so I grabbed a shake and we were on our way!
What are some tips & tricks you use to make your mornings easier and start your day off right?
Some great tips here! My 7th grader has had a very hard time adjusting to a much earlier schedule–she has to be on the bus by 7, so we're really focusing #1. I'm not sure getting her up even earlier would help, but it may be worth considering, even if it's only an extra 5 or so minutes.
Yes, that is the hardest part in my house as well… esp after summer! He has an alarm, but we still go in there a few times. We realized last year that slow and steady wins the wake-up race! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
I like the idea of waking him earlier and then giving him 5 more minutes. Great way to ease into things!
Yes… I hit my snooze alarm a few times… so I feel his pain! ha! 😉
My hubby has the alarm set for thirty minutes before he has to get up. He likes to use the snooze button. If he doesn't do that he says it takes him all morning to wake up.
It must be fun to ride your bike to school!
I haven't heard of these shakes before, I'll have to go check them out. 😉
yes, we can only ride when my husband or I have the day off.. but it is so much fun.. anything to keep me out of the drop off line! 😉
Awwww you are such a good mom! I love number 2!
Awwww.. thanks Jenn! 🙂
Everyone's alarm clocks are set 10minutes fast,so we're guaranteed to be on time. Sounds crazy,but it works! A big change this yr is the oldest can drive,so that gives us an extra 20-30min (which I need with 2teen boys!) I've got to get better at the night before stuff though…Another great post Lauren 🙂
That must be so nice having some driving help!! I can imagine it is only harder when they become teenagers! You couldn't get me out of bed for anything!! 😉 Thanks for stopping by, like always! 😉
Great tips! I do everything the night before. I have seen those shakes before, they look good.
If I don't do stuff the night before, I am SO behind in the morning. And the shakes are really good! (I tried them!) 😉
If I'm rushing around, we tend to get out of the house even slower. So I always have to calm down and take my time-my husband, I mean, my kids being rushed does not work. I'm sure my daughter would love those shakes for breakfast-they sound great!
Thanks Tarynn! We do love sitting down for breakfast, but on those crazy days.. these come in really handy!
Man, I wish my mom had given me an extra 5 minutes when I had to get up for school!! 😛 I always hated getting up (of course this made snow days and summer THAT much better!) 😉 Thanks for sharing about the shakes – I wonder if my very picky toddler would go for it! Where can they be purchased?
They have them anywhere Happy Baby and Happy Toddler items are sold. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment! 😉
Even though I homeschool this is so true for us as well! Once a week we participate in a co-op and to be honest at first it was really rough. I had to develop a routine. Thanks for the refresher!
Yes, kids love a routine… I think that is awesome that you homeschool!
My son would love these! He's not a big breakfast eater so this might be a great alternative!
Yes, Hudson calls them his 'morning milkshake' hahaha
Love the prep the night before. My daughter and I make her lunch together and pack up her backpack. It's part of her chores now that she's a "big girl" going into kindergarten 🙂
Thats a good idea, to have the kids help.
I really need to try those–>Super Nutrition Shakes from Happy Family!! I need a quick meal to get me going every morning!
they could def work for that! 🙂
These are great shakes, i have tried them and they are great
They are good! Thanks for taking the time to comment! 🙂
i love that you ask questions in your posts. i've done that from time to time. it's good!
What is it about questions do you like? 😉 haha
Yes ESPECIALLY to number 1! I am a big fan of doing anything and everything the night before.
I also like to map out my week ahead of time, and keep a list on my desk of major things (appointments, clients, essential errands) to check off as the week progresses.
That is a good idea to map out the whole week! Sometimes I think, oh.. that's not until Thursday… and then Wed night I am scrambling!
Great tips! Some mornings no matter how hard I try seem to just be harder than others. I have found though that easing into the day does a world of wonders for grouchy kiddos. I love your shake suggestion. My first grader takes 30 minutes to eat a bowl of cereal and we could use a little something to shave time off of that particular ritual.
For us getting dressed seems to take the longest time. On the weekends he is dressed in no time.. but on school days it is a 20 minute process!!
Great tips! I really try hard to follow these. I force myself to do things the night before even though I'm never in the mood. I also always remember breakfast. It's my favorite!
I love breakfast too, I cant leave the house without eating something 😉