start work again soon - what are your time saving tips for getting ready in the morning?

[milkyman]

have 10mth ds and little time so need some advice to streamline morning routine!

Get as much as possible ready the night before and get up before your DS!

I wash my hair In eve and then run straighteners over if needed in the morning. Prepare lunch, prepare handbag etc.

All of the above- lay clothes out night before and dc clothes too, wash hair and dry then just straighten if required. Have lunch, bag shoes etc all ready to go.

I had a brazillian keratin hair straightening thingy in August and it is marvellous. No more straightenjng!

as passthecake, best thing i ever did was start showering in the evening, washing hair then and straightening in the morning. my hair is in better condition as I no longer blow dry it daily

Yep definitely agree with just straightening hair in the morning. I have to decide what to wear the night before otherwise I waste valuable minutes in the morning faffing about deciding, searching for long lost tops, etc.

Wish I could find time to do a bit of make up and so look a little less knackered/haggered.

I also check detailed weather forecast for comuting times and plan clothes/accessories the night before.
It saves me a precious minute in the morning to have umbrella/gloves/ whatever by the door.

Get up earlier than you think!

Angie - what was your hair lie before the straightening treatment? Can you just leave your hair to air dry now with no frizz?

I get up at 6.45 and leave at 8.30. Loads of time to sort DS and myself and a quick tidy before locking up. I do make most of pack lunches the night before though.

Everything ready and laid out the night before in the handiest place - for me it's the living room, as I have coffee and watch the news while I get dressed.

Brief make up after showering (moisturiser, primer, foundation one after the other, they seem to settle well like this, and a flick of mascara). Touch up with powder and tint in the office.

A haircut that can be washed and left to dry naturally!

And yes, it's worth getting up 10 mins before DC to get the shower in before they wake up. Failing that, babyproof the bathroom so they can be in there while you shower.

I put out all the clothes for the next day - even knickers and bra (to make sure that I'm not scrabbling around for a matching set in the morning) and, of course, school uniform (including underwear).

Breakfast dishes (and jam, honey, marmalade) are set out on a tray in the kitchen and I check there's enough cereal, toast, porridge etc fro the various requirements.

I don't usually wear makeup to work (thank goodness) and usually pin my hair up to keep it 'tidy' (its quite frizzy if I don't iron it).

I check school bag and have a list on the wall that says what clubs are on which day, which uniform is to be worn/taken (plus sports equipment etc). I make sure that homework is done, signed and in the bag, alongside anything else that needs to be taken in (so many mornings running around looking for loo roll tubes and empty cornflake packets, or pulling together a costume last minute!).

if you don't drive (ignore if you do!) ignore all the people who sneer about this and PUT YOUR MAKEUP ON ON THE BUS/TRAIN/TUBE!

Lifesaver.... or do it at work in toilets before you start.

God I'm a lazy cow! LOL

And if You do drive put make up on in car park before getting out at work!

OP, I....

• make packed lunch and put all work stuff in bag the night before
• put out bins or leave money for cleaning lady or whatever will need doing

I have reminders in my phone for these....

• put out clothes to wear, plus earrings etc and make up
• wash night before

So my am routine is, get out of bed, put on waiting clothes and make up, stumble downstairs and eat breakfast, pick up bag and lunch and walk out door!

I don't have DC yet (barren and old) but if I do, I think this will still serve me well!

Wear dresses! I get dressed in two minutes. Tights, dress - done. Always looks polished and professional.

Sometimes I do a late (11pm finish) followed by an early (7.30am start) so I have a power shower in the morning and stick the blowers in my car on max and hot and my hair is dry by the time I get to work (15mins drive), then I chuck.it in a bun.

YY to as much as poss the night before, and get up earlier than you think.

Always have a spare outfit at the ready for those awful moments when you are just about to step out the door and notice a milky sick trail down your clothes.

Spare tights / make up / hair brush etc in desk at work.