Please or to access all these features

Sponsored threads

This topic is for sponsored discussions. If you'd like to run one with us, please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

IKEA would like to hear your tips for making the weekday school routine as stress-free as possible

400 replies

AbbiCMumsnet · 24/07/2019 09:17

This activity has now closed

Getting your kids out of the door for the morning school run is not for the faint hearted. It’s a task that hardly ever goes to plan, with the potential for things to go wrong always lurking around the corner. With this in mind, IKEA would love to know hear your advice on how you make the weekday school routine as stress-free as possible, and any hacks you might have to make your life easier.

Here’s what IKEA have to say:
“A key way to keeping morning madness to a minimum is involving everyone in the home. When your home is set up so that your little ones don’t need constant help, everyone’s a winner. Put dinnerware and food in places your children can easily reach so they can set the table while you focus on making breakfast. A light step stool can help in the kitchen and bathroom.
In the bedroom, our STUVA range is designed from the ground up ensuring interiors are all easily reachable by little hands, with most parts being adjustable, meaning the furniture can grow your child. But one of the best places to keep well organised is the hallway. A bench with hidden storage will work wonders, just pop their bags inside and add a coat rack at their height nearby to give them a one stop shop before leaving each morning.”

Have you established an efficient system to get your kids out of the door on time? How do you deal with unexpected obstacles that get in your path when trying to leave? Do you prepare meticulously the night before, or do you wing it in the morning and hope for the best - maybe the latter works best for you!

All who share their tips on avoiding the stress of the weekday school run will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win £300 in IKEA vouchers.
Thanks and good luck

MNHQ
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

IKEA would like to hear your tips for making the weekday school routine as stress-free as possible
OP posts:
littlemonkeyz · 07/08/2019 14:45

Give your child a sense of responsibility and pride in being 'grown up' and managing their own equipment, clothes, books etc. Duplicates of things are always useful. A special place or section in the wardrobe is always useful so they can find things quickly and a plastic box in the hall is great for each child to grab last minute items such as hats that they may need for school.

glennamy · 07/08/2019 14:52

We keep it simple, we have dinner together discussing our day, after all that is finished it is bath time. This is followed by bedtime story. Routine really is the key! :)

Sanders75 · 07/08/2019 15:41

Everything prepared the night before. Everything in an accessible spot so they can sort themselves out in the morning.

IonaAilidh11 · 07/08/2019 15:43

prepare the night before best advice i was given

nettymay · 07/08/2019 15:44

Getting everything ready the night before - and everybody singing their favourite tunes - and a lovely cuddle and - "see you later" to our 2 cats!

Cailin7 · 07/08/2019 15:46

we pick out clothes and make packed lunches the night before and as we live a short walk to school and work it usually works out well.

jhocknull · 07/08/2019 15:53

Be well organised on a Sunday night. Have a schedule posted on the fridge for remembering kit/homework/musical instruments. Let them enjoy taking responsibility for their own items.

Mitcholiver · 07/08/2019 16:07

With 3 children and working I have to be super organised. Every evening I get everything out and organised for the next day, that's all school uniform, bags, coats and ofcourse shoes as the kids can never find them in the morning.

03kelwil · 07/08/2019 16:09

Make lunches nignt before , set out uniforms I am looking to purchase storage trays so I can put in uniform for each day of the week.

BelindasGleeTeam · 07/08/2019 16:10

IKEA Ziploc bags 🤣🤣

Make cheese/ham sarnies. Place in bag and then freeze. Kids can then make their own packed lunch from the snack box, freezer, fruit bowl. Easy peasy. Just needs a loaf or two and a bit of prep time.

I put lunch boxes on side evening before and they sort. Getting things ready before the day before is absolutely key.

PamelaTodd · 07/08/2019 16:25

Because the dc do their homework at the kitchen table, everything has to be cleared away before the next meal and that keeps the chaos under control.

They both have Micke desks in their bedrooms, stacked high with lego and art, but ironically for an ikea sponsored thread, it’s actually by multi-tasking with our kitchen table that our fundamentally disorganized family can stay on top of our routines.

Elizasmum02 · 07/08/2019 16:47

i set everythign out the night before, clock are also ten mintues fast so we arent ever late!

Spices001 · 07/08/2019 16:48

As organised as possible night before... lunches packed, school bags ready
I get up early so it’s a gentle start to day, then I’m ready to chivvy dc along where necessary

AngelwingsPetlamb · 07/08/2019 17:01

Everything is laid out the night before, school bag is checked and packed the night before as is packed lunch or lunch money.
I get dc up in plenty of time to allow for not getting out of bed, or any last minute issues.
We get to school early so we can park and dc has time to relax with friends before start of school day.

rejcomp · 07/08/2019 17:18

I hear not having children helps...

Iggi999 · 07/08/2019 18:03

(Rejcomp should win the thread! Grin )

dannyelle · 07/08/2019 18:59

prepare as much as possible the night before - that means pack the lunches, lay clothing out ready and check the fuel level in the car!

Catmadroo · 07/08/2019 19:37

This is a difficult one for my son he has autism and sensory processing disorder, and getting to school is a battle every day. Leaving him to wake up at his own speed helps him adjust to waking and we have an arrangement with school that we can park in carpark, and he goes in via the office and has 10 to 15 mins in SENCOs office on ipad normally before joining his class, as trying to get him in class just doesn't work and we end up having staff trying to keep him in school grounds.

hmariez · 07/08/2019 19:58

Organise everything the night before

sheilads105 · 07/08/2019 20:15

Getting everyone up in plenty of time - as my Gran says "5 mins early is actually late"

towser44 · 07/08/2019 20:20

As much preparation the night before or even better (and when time allows) preparing at the weekend for the entire week ahead!

OrangeSamphire · 07/08/2019 20:20

Getting the absolute best sleep we can. Which doesn't always go to plan with a disabled child in the house but we all function better in the morning on a decent night's sleep!

Three out of four of us are in Ikea beds, so that helps Halo

Ikea1234 · 07/08/2019 20:27

Plan, plan, plan! Timetables on noticeboard, so you know when lessons like PE, cooking, tech are (basically when the children need extra equipment) Uniforms laid out the night before, packed lunches made....job done!

iloveadsxx1 · 07/08/2019 20:36

Prep outfits for clubs on the Sunday so they are ready!

Also prep meals on the Sunday for three days! I make lunchboxes in the evening and prep drink bottles and bags then too!

Clothes ready! :)

DullPortraits · 07/08/2019 20:37

Get your husband to do it 😂😂