Back-to-School Made Easy: Tips From a Mom of Two

As a mother of two with a full-time job and a board member for multiple nonprofits, I find mornings a bit hectic in our household. If you’re facing similar chaos, you may be looking for back to school tips for parents to make things run more smoothly.

My 2-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter have very distinct preferences in the morning. My son likes to wake up full of energy, but my daughter loves to sink back into her cozy bed for a few extra minutes … which can put a monkey wrench in our morning routine.

Here are some tips for those who also have hectic mornings, sleepy kiddos and a full list of things to get done before heading out the door.

1. Set that alarm clock at least 15 minutes earlier than your kiddo’s intended wake-up time.

Spend that 15 minutes on yourself — whether it is grabbing a cup of coffee, a quick hot shower or taking the time to reflect on what you’re grateful for. You’ll improve your outlook on the day, which will help set the pace for the overall vibe during your morning routines.

2. Keep everyone’s shoes in one place.

We keep our shoes at the front door on a shoe rack. Each kid has their own shelf, and it just makes it so much easier to keep them right at the door so that we can grab them on our way out.

3. Use leftovers from dinner for your kiddo’s lunchbox.

After dinner, I box up the leftover veggies and fruits for my daughter’s lunch. This makes it a little easier when I’m packing up her lunchbox in the mornings.

4. Pick out the outfits the night before.

We added this into our bedtime routine so that we could try to shave off a few minutes of time in the mornings. It’s hit or miss because sometimes my kiddos change their minds about what they want to wear, but it’s worth a try!

5. Make it fun.

Put a fun spin on your morning routines; pretend like the floor is hot lava and challenge them to get to the breakfast table without falling in! Lately my family has been into the “Jungle Book,” so we pretend that Shere Khan is coming and we need to hurry back to the “village” before he arrives. The routines that work for your family will change over time, so keep in mind that the ultimate time saver is flexibility.