School Morning Routine

With the kids back to school having a routine has become essential for us. I admit that summer vacation was pretty unorganized. We didn’t stick to a strict bedtime or wake up by a certain time. Now that I’m driving three kids to three different schools (preschool, elementary and middle school), it’s important to keep a strict schedule. I typically start getting the kids ready for bed around 7; this includes bath and reading time. Then they’re asleep by 8-8:30. That’s when I begin to prepare things for the next morning. I’ve found that preparing as much as I can the night before really helps our mornings run smoothly. Today I’m sharing a few tips on what I’ve found works for us now that all three kids are in school.

I can’t stress enough how great it is to prepare snacks at the beginning of the week or even the night before. I typically spend Sunday afternoon washing fruit, bagging it, and placing snacks in a clear container in the center of the refrigerator. This way the kids can quickly grab what they want in their lunch. This snack bin is also great for after school.

My kids couldn’t be more different, especially when it comes to food. While my oldest son can grab a quick cereal, my little guy won’t touch cereal at all. Since our mornings can get busy it’s hard for me to make them breakfast every morning, we now reserve that for Saturday mornings. Here’s where quick breakfast options like Jimmy Dean sausage and egg sandwiches work great. All three kids can agree on these sandwiches for breakfast and they’re so easy to warm up when you’re short on time.

I have several command center stations around the house where important papers and notes get placed. The most crucial is this magnetic board next to the entrance of the kitchen. I keep it where I know I’ll see things the best so that I won’t miss important papers. I’m still shocked by how many papers get sent home between the three. And if I can’t see it, I’ll likely forget about it. I used to blame it on pregnancy brain but my baby is now 4. HA! With the convenience of these boards I can make sure I never miss a flyer or paper that needs to be signed.

My 7th grader must be going through a growth spurt because he comes home from school ready to raid the kitchen for everything in sight. Working from home enables me to prepare easy snack trays to hold them over until dinnertime. Some days it’s as simple as carrots and other days when the hungrier bunch arrives we have corn dogs and fruit or veggies for everyone. I found the State Fair corn dogs and Jimmy Dean sausage sandwiches for a great price at Walmart. We usually stock up on these every few weeks.

What are some of your tips for a smooth morning and after school routine?