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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

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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
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IKEA would like to hear your tips for making the weekday school routine as stress-free as possible
OP posts:
Gumbo · 08/08/2019 13:44

Always schedule in more time than you know you're likely to need each morning to deal with sudden unexpected events like toilet emergencies that take far longer than any normal person would expect That way there is no stress or panic when a child disappears upstairs for 20 minutes or makes some random announcement about a 10-page form for a school trip which has to be filled in and submitted today at the latest...

mccattack111 · 08/08/2019 14:50

I prep school lunches and outfits the night before.

EllieMumsnet · 08/08/2019 15:20

Hi @crosser62 thank you for your comment Smile IKEA have been in touch and would like to say the following:

^"Great tip about the bed - integrated draws are brilliant for storing bedding, or seasonal clothing like thick winter coats. If you don’t have built-in drawers, our ROMSKOG bed boxes will do just as well. If you’ve got bulkier items that you need to store, our SAMLA boxes are a great choice. They’re available in a variety of sizes, so there’s sure to be something that suits."

EllieMumsnet · 08/08/2019 15:21

Hi @MyNameIsJane thank you for your comment Smile IKEA have been in touch and would like to say the following:

"Great idea! If you want to take it to the next level, a SYMOFNISK lamp is right up your street. Part lamp, part speaker, it’s entirely controllable from your phone with our specialised app. Just open the app and you’ll be able to set music and light settings in advance. All you have to do is pick your music, set the lights and let SYMFONISK play you out for those 3 minutes before you leave."

EllieMumsnet · 08/08/2019 15:21

Hi @rholo thank you for your comment Smile IKEA have been in touch and would like to say the following:

"Very true – music is a wonderful way of setting the right mood. Plus, mundane tasks always seem to go faster when the right song is playing in the background, so it’s perfect addition to the morning rush. A nice way to integrate this into your daily routine would be to place a couple of SYMFONISK speakers around the home. Just connect over Bluetooth and you’ll be able to set specific routines for each speaker with our app – create a morning playlist to get ready to, and something soothing to listen to right before bed."

Alwaysoverthinkingit34 · 08/08/2019 16:25

The only tip I have is to get everything ready the night before.

Other than that, it gets easier as the kids get older! My oldest is 10 and can get her own breakfast and is good at getting herself ready. Only 2 years ago it was always such hard work getting her up and dressed.

kittykomp · 08/08/2019 17:54

have an up to date diary and plan plan plan

phillie1 · 08/08/2019 17:55

Everything ready the night before

robert01 · 08/08/2019 19:53

Definitely helps with all the Ikea ideas for storage - everything is in its place and we all know where!

Nikita90 · 08/08/2019 21:19

Get everything ready the night before and stick to a routine

MillyVanilli222 · 08/08/2019 21:22

We make sure everything's ready the night before - clothes, bags packed, and lunch ready in the fridge. I always get up a bit earlier than needed too, in case of any mishaps! Routine is important, and I've got them used to it now.

MyNameIsJane · 08/08/2019 21:50

Thank you @EllieMumsnet & IKEA - happy to do a MN trial on the SYMOFNISK and give feedback on it. Grin Especially as I am a devotee so much so, my google maps suggested to me that I might want to go to IKEA on a Friday night.

IKEA would like to hear your tips for making the weekday school routine as stress-free as possible
NICH7 · 08/08/2019 22:06

Make a habit for the children to prepare for the following day. I always get up 1 hour before everyone, giving myself enough time to get lunch etc ready.

sweir1 · 08/08/2019 23:00

We prep everythig the night before

magentastardust · 09/08/2019 00:39

Definitely organisation. Alarms set, uniform laid out the night before so they know where everything is and any extra things all sorted like PE kit, homework, projects etc all ready to go.
Easy breakfast like cereal where the kids can reach and bowls and spoons in their reach so they can make a start on getting their breakfast and do it easily themselves. It doesn't make things perfect but definitely easier than the days that I am not prepared!

MrRichTea · 09/08/2019 13:55

Getting everything ready before hand, giving treat at end of week

dadshere · 09/08/2019 13:56

We stick to a simple but strict routine. I wake up dd and then pass her down to dh for breakfast and teeth brushing. DD knows we keep to the same routine and once it was established, it saves time and tears.

SSCRASE123 · 09/08/2019 15:35

Get as much prepped as you can the night before and give the kids a clear routine/task list from waking up to getting ready so they have some time for play before we leave.

ellie17 · 09/08/2019 18:09

prepare in advance, always lay everything out like uniform and get lunches ready the night before xx

glynda · 09/08/2019 20:11

Organisation! Get uniforms, sandwiches ready the night before. Have a list on the fridge of after school clubs, homework due dates etc.

puppy23 · 09/08/2019 20:44

Getting everything prepped the night before and having individual boxes by the door where we keep bags, school shoes etc

beckyinman · 09/08/2019 22:59

As much prep the night before as possible - uniforms laid out, lunches made, overnight oats and bags packed

novadragon84 · 10/08/2019 12:17

Make use of the school clubs available, will allow for more flexible timing and life schedule

malisa · 10/08/2019 14:17

My tips for making the weekday school routine as stress-free as possible is to get prepare as much as possible on the night before. We would ask children to have their backpacks ready waiting in the hall.Everyone has uniform and shoes ready.I would make their lunches ready and store it in fridge. To avoid all morning madness I plan what to make for breakfast and we limit our time in order to leave the house for arriving in time to school.

badgermum · 10/08/2019 15:33

Preparation is key, I make the packed lunches the night before and leave them in the fridge, school books are all packed along with the school bags and uniform all laid out ready so hopefully the morning will run nice and smoothly