To find the school run relentlessly exhausting

[Longcovid21]

I will admit I feel a little under the weather at the moment and the school runs always fall to me (single parent). However I find the school runs absolutely exhausting. Other mums and dads don't look as broken as I feel. From waking up, cajoling to get dressed, recharging bags with packed lunch, fruit, water , getting them off screens which they sneak back on to as soon as my back is turned. Getting them to eat breakfast. Getting them in the car. Nag nag nag. Then rinse and repeat every day. They are 10 and 6 so the older one is a bit more independent but it's still exhausting for me. I work full time but am exhausted before I even start. I can't eat breakfast until they're in school as its too stressful. Also getting myself ready and making sure I look decent. Does anyone actually find the school run manageable or dare I say it enjoyable? What's your secret?

@yikesanotherbooboo

I feel very glad that screens weren't a thing for my DC when they were young. My only advice is to have a strict routine ie up, loo, wash face( shower if so inclined) , uniform on, breakfast, teeth, sort school bag . It helped me to get up earlier when I was finding the mornings stressful.

I'm 39 and screens were definitely a thing when we were kids. We were desperate to watch the Big Breakfast before school. We were only allowed to put it on when we were dressed and had had breakfast so it was a good incentive to get ready quickly.

Like other posters we do as much as we can the night before. Packed lunch/drink in fridge, homework in bag, uniform laid out. Phones/tablets completely out of reach until they are both 100% ready.