Getting out the door in the morning before school can be hectic. We’ve all heard the typical advice to make it smoother — lay out clothes the night before, pre-make lunches — but these tips from super moms (with 4 kids each!) give you their best advice to start your day relaxed so you can get out the door quickly and calmly.
1. Have a dance party
“Our mornings are a mixture of me being a drill sergeant and having dance parties. I have four kids so I usually have to shout to be heard. I think having fun music on in the mornings is helpful. It gets the kids upbeat and happy. We often have fun dancing in the morning after breakfast.”
~ Desiree Craig, stay-at-home mom with 4 kids (ages 8, 7, 5 and 2.5)
2. Let it go
“My approach in the morning is to generally be laid back as long as everyone is doing their part. My advice is to make your children responsible for themselves and not to fret about their appearance.
Let them get themselves ready for school — they can find their own perfect outfit (even if it doesn’t match or consists of all stripes). If they wear the same shirt two days in a row – Oh well!”
-~Jessica Edwards, stay-at-home-mom with 4 kids (11, 9, 5, newborn)
3. Pre-make breakfast
“One of the most important things I do is pre-make on-the-go breakfasts and put them in the freezer. On the days I am really rushed I, grab the kids each something easy like a muffin, a breakfast cookie or a breakfast burrito.
One winter morning we were running late for school the kids didn’t have time to eat. I had made oatmeal, so I decided the kids would have to eat it on the drive. Half way to school a deer jumped right out in front of my van. I slammed on the breaks, thankfully missing the deer. But the entire inside of the van was covered in oatmeal! It was on the floor, the backs of the seats, their backpacks and there were even chunks in my hair. I took them home to get cleaned up and they were an hour late for school. Needless to say, we never had oatmeal in the van again.”
~ Karisa Nipkow, part-time educational assistant with 4 kids (ages 9, 8, 5, 3)
4. Take time for yourself
“I always wake up well before my kids to workout and get myself ready for the day. I love having time alone in the morning to get myself prepared and ready. When doing this I am able to start the day feeling on top of things, rather than struggling to keep up.”
~ Desiree Craig, stay-at-home-mom with 4 kids (ages 8, 7, 5 and 2.5)
5. Make your kids a check list
“For my older two kids I created a checklist they keep in their rooms. Instead of nagging multiple kids all morning, asking “Did you brush your teeth? Do you have your backpack packed?” all I say is “Did you complete your list?” All they have to do is make sure all of the items are checked off by 7:45 am.”
~ Karisa Nipkow, part-time educational assistant with 4 kids (ages 9, 8, 5, 3)
6. Leave some time for play
“I allow a 20 to 30 minute buffer in the mornings so my kids get some playtime before we leave for school. If they are dressed, fed and ready before it’s time to go they get to have some fun. I think it helps a lot. It starts the day off in a positive way.”
-Desiree Craig, stay-at-home-mom with 4 kids (ages 8, 7, 5 and 2.5)
7. Don’t rush them
“Having a stress-free morning sets a great start to the day. If it doesn’t start well the rest of the day is pretty much a gong show. My girls are only 16-months apart and are both very stubborn. The hardest part is getting shoes on and getting everyone in their car seats. They both want to do it themselves but waiting for anyone five and under to do something by themselves takes a lifetime! The first is very independent but if you try to hurry her she gets mad. The second is very attached to me and can do everything herself but prefers me to do things for her. My only advice on this is don’t interrupt them or they will start over!”
~Erin Howell, stay-at-home mom, sells Epicure, mom of 3 (ages 5, 4 and 11 months, and a 15-year-old international student the past few years)
8. Just go with it
“An important piece of advice — if you’re late, it’s not the end of the world! “
~Jessica Edwards, stay-at-home-mom with 4 kids (11, 9, 5, newborn)
Share your best back-to-school mornings tips with us by tagging #vancouvermom ! Find more school tips here.
