Your help required - top tips on surviving the school run

'The competitions closes on Monday 8 January 2007 and winners will be announced on Tuesday 9 January 2007'

So who won then?

OK, I don't want the prize this is just to add to this V interesting debate.

Ref 'Upstairs Downstairs' debate; we do now always get dressed upstairs 1st - DD always wants brek in 'jammies but it just doesn't work for us, it always takes longer & raises stress levels. So I'm 'uniform on & downstairs' voter - & on porridge mornings (they love it)I have been known to put them in bibs! (Even the 5-y-o.)

Also, and OK, I risk getting blasted here - but I'm afraid I DO allow a very little (timed) TV - as a reward PROVIDED all else is done - dressed, eaten, teeth brushed, shoes on, bag packed. And if they have this done by Thomas the Tank Engine (c. 8.25 on Milkshake!) they can watch it, and it is actually a great incentive. And the instant it's over, coats on and out the house - because, and this is the crucial bit - we can... because and (see Twiglett's advice above) - we do indeed live 3 mins from school gate... !!

let the first one in the car (on work days) choose the song on the radio

To save very knotty hair (and the unpleasant scenes it can cause in the mornings), I use a really good leave-in conditioner on my dd's long hair after I've washed it. Not one of those nasty children's fake fruit scented detangling sprays that don't seem to work, far better to stop the knots before they start

become an expert at braiding, bunching, ponytails etc when dds are not yet school age

remember lunch bag

remember schoolbag

Now that's just not normal

Walk to school and practise tables and spellings on the way.

'By Hideehi on Tue 09-Jan-07 17:51:50
Home eduacte and give all this nonsense a miss ?'

Nah... I'd rather send 'em to school and lern 'em to spell

califrau, cant you opt out of worshipping the flag?

lol mamalil

more applause for Mamalil for being able to use the word 'coiffed' of her children...

(and pmsl at CaliFrau and the Brownie Guide Law)

And a second round of applause for mamalil

I am in such awe that you have enough time to add the smiley faces to the charts before you leave for school!

Puppy has done wonders for reputation at school gates though, have talked to loads of mums who I have never had the chance to talk to as they stop to pet puppy. Have been offered several children, (and one husband) as potential swaps for puppy - rufusing all offers so far

Arrival of new puppy has caused chaos to school run. Have to get up 1/2 hour earlier to let her out and feed her then end up chasing her round living room as she runs off with items of kids clothing at critical moment. Kids think it is hilarious (secretly so do I but it is making us late!) Must remember to shut puppy in and not let kids let her out to join the fun

Ummmm - bit of a limited subject (if I may be so bold). Imo would be more useful to have top tips for surviving the school gates!

[clears throat nervously for first ever MN post....]
I lay out clothes & prepare school bags & any extra stuff the night before, wake first & consume caffeine then give a rousing first call to all 3 dc before my shower (may explain high turnover of immediate neighbours). 2 older dc (9 & 6yrs) have been drill trained to get themselves washed, dressed & coiffed whilst I assist 3rd ds (3yrs) then we all move in a breakfastly direction together. Teeth done at sink after breakfast then sweatshirts on. Spellings, x-tables, music practice etc whilst I assemble pack lunches and we move as a pack to shoes, coats, bags & out.

Smooth running is down to a sheet of paper at the front door - each day dc earn smiley faces for getting ready without moaning, helping siblings, doing things without reminders, not squabbling or anything I'm particularily trying to establish or stamp out. I mark up all smileys eant thru' morning whilst dc shoe up. The goal is simple. We've done lots of different things but current fave is a DVD night on Fridays. I make up 3 'jobs' eg.1 choose DVD, 2 choose snacks & 3 show everyone to & from seats with torch/work the lights. Winner can choose their role, then 2nd gets their choice & 3rd takes remaining job. Altho' they all love the whole thing & we always have a great night it still works as an incentive & they each earn lots of smileys.

having a scary head teacher is also great - we have to go to her office and sign a book if we are late as they lock the gates at 9 o clock. and the kids would be mortified if they had to do this so they do not dawdle in the am!

keep a hairbrush and bobbles/hairgrips in the car
I slao keep cagoules in the car for those days that start off fine and then rains as you get to school

I read in one of those "How not to Be a good mother" books about a perfect looking mother who finally gave away her secret - put the children to bed in their school clothes and give them chocolate in the car for breakfast. Sounds good to me.

If I'm organised I get the clothes out for the morning. Hair brushing can be a nightmare but DP likes to do this and I do the bunches and plaits etc. I have found that getting the hair accessories to match is difficult due to loosing them but if you loop them together when you find a pair it really helps!

I agree with no telly, but I like BBC 7 "Little Toe radio show" from 7am to 8am. Both children do concentrate on eating and it adds a certain calmness!

I do packed lunches in the kitchen whilst the others eat. DDs(2)really like "helping" us by pouring milk for themselves.

I am going to try the toothbrushes and flannel in the kitchen idea.

We do the journey on bikes so I look forward to that and am sooo glad that I don't drive them.