Our School Routine: Tips for a Smooth Start
Going into the new year with a refreshed approach always feels like you momentarily have your act together. Even if it dissipates by mid February…you tried, mama. One system we implemented in 2019 that we are definitely carrying over into 2020 is our simplified school routine. Because if it ain’t broke…
I’m undoubtedly a morning person. I’m my best self between 5 and 10 am. I secretly want my kids to be tiny morning people too — so I do my best to keep mornings upbeat and smooth so they don’t learn to dread the AM. My son started preschool this past year and only attends 2 days a week. Because he goes so infrequently I wanted to establish a pretty solid routine to help with the flow and expectations on those days. We’ve stuck to our little routine since August and I honestly look forward to the school hustle (but check back in 6 years when I’ve become a jaded, robe wearing, school drop-off line mom).
Here are our 5 tips for a smooth start to the school day…
Stick to the expected. I think laying items out the night before goes without saying, but simply sticking to the same flow each morning drastically helps reduce tiny human rebuttals. 9 times out of 10, if they know what to expect they don’t fight or question what’s next. Following steps in a certain order makes a bigger difference than we realize. Sometimes asking a kid to get dressed before they eat breakfast is like asking someone to start their commute to work without their coffee. Kid’s crave structure just like adults.
Don’t poke the bear. I’m not saying let your kids win or be jerks just to avoid those AM tears. But we all know a few buttons to avoid pushing. I put on my Mary Poppins pants while I do the morning routine dance because my energy directly impacts my kid’s energy.
Build a time buffer. One of my favorite parenting tips was actually from Kristen Bell. Instead of a tell, it’s an ask. She asks her kids how many minutes until they will do something. Example…instead of telling them “in 5 minutes — put your shoes on” ask…”how many minutes until you’ll be putting on your shoes?”. I’ve expected this to fully backfire time and time again with responses like “100 minutes” — but it typically gives them just enough ownership of the situation to make a decision on their own. My son always handles transitions better if I let him “own the clock”. That being said, build in a buffer for this. Kids are slow, man. We start our school mornings much earlier than necessary for our departure time. This keeps our routine a little more loose and flexible to reduce stress.
Race Alexa.
This is hands down my best tip for getting kids out the door. Make it a game. Once morning cartoons have been watched, breakfast has hit tiny tummies and lunches have been made — it’s game on. From day 1 we made it a challenge to “beat” Alexa by setting a 5 minute timer. Clothes on, teeth brushed, hair brushed, feet in shoes — all before her timer goes off. Works like a charm.
Stations for stuff (and sanity).
Nothing stresses me out more than not being able to find something when I’m headed out the door. To avoid this, we found inexpensive storage caddies that we keep in our entry closet that hold his shoes, back pack, lunch box and water bottle. My son knows to grab his items before heading out the door, and the best part — he got in a routine of returning them to this spot the minute he gets home from school. They’re never too young to start a system.
My last tip is positive reinforcement on the drive. Most mornings are pretty painless getting the kids out the door — and I always let my kids know they rocked their routine once we hit the road. Little cheers of praise go along way in our house.
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