early mornings advice please :)

[maryverge]

Hiya,
My eldest began reception this year and I'm having a really hard time finding a system that works. It's difficult not to stress about getting both my little ones where they need to be on time. Especially when they're hot and bothered in the summer. Any advice on mornings would be so helpful. Thanks again :)

This anxiety is fuelled by the fact that schools get very upset about attendance and a late arrival gets marked as absent.

Brace yourself! - this is going to continue for many years! I have no answer. Wait till they are at secondary school and you get half way to school and one announces...."Oh, I need my swimming kit/cookery ingredients/money for a trip/sports kit......" Grrr!

When mine started school I put their clothes for the next day on the bannister. Then as they got older I cleared a drawer in their room that was just for school stuff so it was easy for them to get out and get dressed. Try to let them dress themselves starting now so they get better at it and quicker.

Lay the table for breakfast the night before, get the dc to do it after dinner.

Make them take their school shoes off when they get home and put them in a certain place.

Get school uniform that is easy to put on and off. Buy enough depending on how filthy you think your child will get. One of mine was so messy and she had five uniforms. The other only needed three.

Really, you just have to adjust your own getting up time so you aren't in a rush.

thank you :))
these seem like great hacks
I just want the best for my kids and avoid arguments, stress and all that stuff

Growing I never ate breakfast in the mornings, but I turn pale at imagining my kids doing the same. Any thoughts on the best way to help them eat :))

^^ I mean eat a good breakfast

We have very calm mornings, but I do let them use screens, which I know some people don't like. But it's worth it for us, as our mornings are lovely.

I get up at 6am, wash my face and put the kettle on. Wake eldest at 6.15, he goes downstairs to the computer and watches YouTube or Skypes with a friend.

I make tea for the kids and coffee for me, make toast and slice fruit. I serve it to eldest at the desk.

At 6.30 I wake youngest. Carry him downstairs to the sofa, get him a blanket and serve him his breakfast. He eats watching kids shows on the iPad in the sofa.

While they eat, I do my make up, get dressed, have my coffee, let the dog out to wee.

At 7am they get dressed. Their uniforms are by the desk/ the sofa and I put it out the night before, then they brush their teeth and wake their dad up for cuddles.

Their school bags are also arranged the night before, shoes and coats in place etc.

At 7.20 we are our the door. My youngest is in Y1.

Of course it's nicer to eat breakfast everyone together, but it wouldn't work here without me having to get up at 5 or something. On weekend and holidays we always eat together around the table.

I found it useful to have "checkpoints" along the way e.g. if we haven't eaten breakfast by 8.15 we need to get a move on.
Also plan to leave 10 minutes earlier than you need to. Do not tell your DC you have built in contingency plan, but get them used to leaving at that time, come what may.

Also, clearly not from day 1, but help them work to independence asap. If your child is ok at dressing themselves, then they can get out top, trousers, jumper and put them on. Have a list on the fridge (or wherever) with pictures, which shows what needs to go in their bag on every day and what they need to check before they leave the house (coat, gloves, hat, do I have my PE kit because it's Monday). Encourage them to try doing it themselves. I was shocked how many parents were still laying out their children's clothes and packing their school bags for them in Year 6!

thanks for the great advice, it is very appreciated :D

I was wondering about this this morning, as I have no issues in the morning at all. In fact I sometimes lounge in bed if the baby isn’t fussing till only 30 mins before departure. My big difference is I don’t have to actually bring them but for the at home bit, I just get out the 4 breakfasts (various cereals, yogurts, toast and fruit combos), tell eldest two to eat (6 and 4) and then to get dressed. Feed the baby then change and dress him. Pack a lunch and put all bags and shoes by the door. I can do it all in 20mins. Then I get two eldest to go do teeth and girl to brush hair. And they are ready to pile into car. My two eldest even these days get breakfast themselves and for their 3 yr old sister today. I double check they’ve had enough and tidy a bit after them but it’s really pretty easygoing and involves plenty of tv too. It’s just not stressful! Not sure how it will be when all 4 need to get into uniforms and out though.