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Let’s get real
Why is it so hard to get kids out the door every morning? I don’t know, but I’m not the kind of mom who’s together enough to have morning charts and breakfast around the table. I’m a mom of four and I have ADHD. But, that’s okay. I have found a way to make weekday mornings reasonably low-key, efficient and — dare I say it? — enjoyable. And you can, too, with these simple — and actually doable IRL — tips.
End decision fatigue
There are few things that are more of a time-suck in our household than getting dressed every day. Why? If you’re like me, it’s probably because your kids have too much stuff.
Kids only need five outfits each week. Store the rest in bins in the closet where they can’t reach them and rotate out other articles of clothing if you must. Then, stock their closets and drawers with only items that are interchangeable and season-appropriate. Fewer options mean less battling for you and less decision fatigue for them (it’s a thing, and kids get it, too.)
Another awesome trick I use along these lines: I have only one style and size of socks for all my kids. That means if you find two socks from different locations in the house they automatically match! Plus, I leave a basket of socks right by the entryway where shoes go to make it that much easier to find them.
Give ’em what they want
Let’s be real: I’m not above a good ‘ol fashioned bribe. It sure beats nagging or yelling for them to “hurry up” one million times before we leave the house. So, when I want my kids to move quickly, I offer them a reward. Some of the things I’ve used as bribes include a few extra minutes to stay up at bedtime, one extra TV show when they get home from school, or a special game or treat after dinner. And when we’re really in a rush, I offer to take them for a Starbucks drive-thru treat if there’s time to spare.
Faster food
Weekday morning breakfasts can be a struggle. Over time I’ve realized I need fast, easy, grab-and-go breakfast options to speed things up. On days when I do have time, I do a little forward planning and make overnight Instant Pot breakfasts the night before (my kids love this oatmeal). And for mornings when we’re tight on time, I make sure my pantry is stocked with easy-to-grab options such as single-serving yogurt cups, muffins, bars, bagels, and fruits such as plums, pears and apples.
Keep a supply caddy in your car
A “car caddy” with items often forgotten has saved me a trip back into the house many times. I have a hairbrush and hair ties, some one-size-fits-all jackets and socks all stocked in the car in a shower caddy. And when I don’t remember to stock the caddy? That’s okay. I’m so disorganized there’s plenty of items just laying around the car to get us through. (Get more ideas for the ultimate car survival kit.)
Get silly with it
Use silly phrases or songs to help kids remember their morning to-do items. There’s a reason this is one of the tricks teachers everywhere employ to get kids to transition from one task to the next; rhyming phrases or singing to a familiar nursery tune can help mobilize kids.
Plus, even when they’re not with you, they’ll remember the phrase and may even mindlessly do what you actually want them to do. (Hey, who says brainwashing is always a bad thing?)
A backup plan
Load money on their lunch and library cards at school or keep cash handy (I keep it in my car caddy) for days you overslept or realize once you’re on the road that you forgot their lunch or a library book.
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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018, and updated in March 2022.
