School Mornings with Two year old sibling.

[Canistaysane]

Can anyone give me help / advice about how to get 2 yr old to eat breakfast, get dressed, etc in time for older siblings school run?

[BoisJacques]

How much time do you have? Would an earlier bedtime/wake up help? I would give a set time for breakfast, then physically dress a 2 yo. If they do not finish breakfast - tough (as long as they can eat when they get back). On rsuhed days I give them breakfast straight away, whoever is finished first brushes teeth in the kitchen, gets dressed and waits while I do the other two. It can be all done in as little as 15 mins if needs be. I do find it is better to have them up early though and have a chance to play after breakfast, but that is only since we have moved and now walk to school.

[tabulahrasa]

My top tip - if you run out of time, as long as they're warm enough it makes no odds at all if you don't dress the 2 yr old till you get back, bung on a big jacket and in winter a snowsuit and no-one will even notice

[GotArt]

I'm thinking for the most part your routine is going to be something you fall into but I'm bookmarking this thread to see what other MN's have to say. I'll be experiencing this soon too.

[missnevermind]

Toast in the pushchair here.
One less thing to worry about.

Get them dressed when you do the morning nappy. One job then not two and lay clothes ready the night before.

[Rosa]

Up and dressed straight away. Then breakfast can be started at home and then take Jam sandwich or similar in the car or buggy. Older siblings lay out clothes in order the night before and set alarms . One of up next one for breakfast etc etc...

[hester]

Frontload it: get them dressed as soon as they get up. Have a clear routine, with tasks that have to be done by a certain time, so if you start running late you know early enough to catch up. Have a bribe in place: mine are allowed to watch Octonauts IF they are dressed and eating breakfast by the time it is on. Have all their clothes laid out the night before. Set departure time a good five minutes before you actually have to leave, to allow for toddler refusals/tantrums/demands to go on the scooter.

[Canistaysane]

Thanks all, Will definitely try the "get them up early" so we have more time.
I am wondering about putting all the toys up in their bedrooms (if they will fit)
(may be in need of a sort out!) so they are not distracted into playing in the morning. Also wondering about not having tv on till they have had breakfast.
We are now in walking distance of school so i'm hoping this might make life a bit easier.

[tabulahrasa]

Oh definitely don't have the tv on, even if you put a news channel on they get sucked in and sit there all vacant instead of getting ready.

[BoisJacques]

When I am really in a rush, I lock the living room door (it's locked every night to stop the dog anyway, so I just don't unlock it). The kids go from bed to kitchen, then dress and brush teeth in there, and clothes are laid out ready and everything is by the door ready to go.

[ilovedjasondonovan]

I used to take a banana with me on the school run. Then if she hadn't had time to eat all her breakfast she had something to scoff on the way home (20 min walk).

[ilovedjasondonovan]

Oh, and get 2 yr old dressed yourself. And only allow TV on once everyone is literally ready to go bar shoes. That way mine are happy to eat a bit faster, get dressed/teeth, hair etc if it means they get TV at the end.

[thefirstMrsDeVere]

I am on (nearly 2yearold) number 5.

Wot I have learnt.

Deffo no TV.
Do not try and rush a 2 year old. This way tantrums lie.
Give yourself plenty of time so you are not rushed and stressed. The more rushed and stressed you are the more likely your 2 year old is going to decide that they cannot leave the house without that shoebaby (WTF is a shoebaby you ask, well exactly. You will be expected to know what this is).
Get your stuff ready the night before
Dont know how old your other DCs are but the more they do for themselves the better. Make it easy for them by having a place for everything (eg. hall table for book bags and pe kits).
I get up 20 mins before the kids so I can have a shower. I feel more ready to face the fray if I do.

I am not an natural early riser. I am rubbish. But its the lesser of two evils. I cant stand that early morning stress and everyone getting upset. It leaves you feeling like rubbish for the rest of the day.

You will be fine