7 Tips For Getting Your Kids Up And Out the Door For School
I’ve been a mom for nine years and a teacher for eight; I still text my mom friend group for tips and tricks to get my kids out of the door for school. Some days are easier than others. Here are some tips that work for me and I hope can also help you! The most important tip is keeping a solid routine, one that kids expect and can practice certain tasks on their own from repetition. The other tip is to add flare and spontaneity where you can!
1. Velcro is your best friend!
SHOES! Oh my. There is nothing that gets my kids (and myself) worked up more than tying shoes or hearing the inevitable shoe complaints in general. This is where velcro comes in. Luckily, my kids’ school allows for any sneaker as part of the uniform. Even for my fourth grader, I’m still purchasing velcro sneakers. It gives peace of mind that shoes won’t take too much time away from getting in the car and driving to school. I also have a storage bin filled with school socks right next to the shoe shelves. A sock bin is a game changer for early morning struggles.
2. Breakfast that excites
If there is a special pastry or type of food that excites your child, then have it readily available. This part can be tricky because to make it special you have to rotate. I swear Little Bites got my kids out of the house for an entire week last school year. However, the next week they didn’t want to touch them. Breakfast excitement is a huge help to get them out of the bed. Part of the trick is that they can’t start eating it until all their morning jobs are finished!
3. Music
About once a week I play my kids favorite song from my phone. Again, you can’t use this every day because then they get used to it. But, if you play it once a week or every other week this gets them excited and in a pretty good mood to wake up to their favorite song. You can also tell them if they get all their jobs done on time, they will get to control the playlist in the car. One of my moms groups has a shared Spotify playlist where we have all added songs that get our kids moving. This playlist is great for pulling out when you don’t have the energy to think of something new.
4. Special screen time
This might take some planning but if they have some out of town cousins, friends, or family members that they might want to talk to or FaceTime in the morning, this can get them excited to get in the car as fast as possible. In fact, special phone time can be helpful. Maybe treat them to use your phone to take pictures that morning on the way to school if they did a great job with morning tasks. My kids love to make stickers on my phone so you could promise five minutes of stickers or a phone call to get them moving.
5. Be organized!
It can be tiring to gather everything the night before, but trust me, it helps to have everything ready to go. Let’s face it, parents are just as tired. Now that my kids are a bit older, I have them help me the night before by picking out their uniforms and laying them out. I’ve heard some parents even have their child to sleep in their clothes for the next day so they don’t even have to worry about that part. Anything that can make it easier for families in the morning, I’m all for! If your kid likes to sleep until the last second, having them in their clothes already saves you a lot of groans.
6. Get your kids involved
Casually chatting about the next day with your child(ren) during dinner can give them an idea what to expect. Consistency and following through the next day is key. Giving your child the power to take on their own responsibilities with some nudges along the way can establish independence. I say, “While you brush your teeth, I’ll fill your water bottle. Then you can help pick out your cereal for breakfast!” Keeping your child in the loop and allowing them some freedom to help where they want can create a positive morning. I’ve had some mom friends create a sticker chart which allows them a special prize if they get a certain amount of stickers for doing jobs on their own. Another great option is having visual reminders. You can use pictures of each morning task on a wall attached with velcro. Once they have done the job, they can put the picture up on the wall. Visual daily calendars work especially well with those who aren’t reading yet, but it can be fun for everyone to see the reminders.
7. Emergency Pack
If all else fails and you’re running very behind, then always have an emergency pack in your glove box. These packs can be filled with granola bars, a hairbrush, and gum/mint in place of brushing teeth. Don’t worry, we’ve all done it.
Not all mornings run smoothly, but always remember tomorrow is a new day and you’re not alone. The morning struggles hit every family at some point.
