Back-to-School Doesn’t Have to Be Chaotic

Every August I see the same advice.

Wake up earlier.

Be more organized.

Plan better.

That’s all well and good…but if you’ve ever tried to get kids dressed, fed, and out the door before your coffee has kicked in, you know mornings can feel a little like herding caffeinated squirrels.

I’ve found it’s much easier to prepare for the morning the night before.

A few simple routines can turn a frantic morning into one that’s at least…manageable.

Create Snack Stations

One of the best things we ever did was create snack bins.

We keep one in the pantry and one in the refrigerator.

Granola bars, crackers, applesauce, fruit, cheese sticks, yogurt, cut-up vegetables—whatever works for your family.

When it’s time to pack lunches, you’re not hunting through every cabinet.

You simply grab a few things from the snack bins and move on.

It saves time, and older kids can even pack their own lunches.

Make Breakfast Easy

Let’s be honest…

Some mornings are survival mode.

Whether you make homemade breakfast sandwiches and freeze them ahead of time or buy them already made, having breakfast ready to go is worth every minute you spent preparing it.

The goal isn’t perfection.

The goal is getting everyone fed without turning breakfast into a stressful event before 7:30 in the morning.

Fifteen Minutes That Changes Everything

Our evenings always had a rhythm.

Homework.

Dinner.

Family time.

Then, before anyone settled in for the night, we’d spend about fifteen minutes getting ready for tomorrow.

Usually with music playing.

Hopefully with a little laughter.

Everyone had something to do.

Shoes went on the boot tray by the front door.

Backpacks were packed with homework folders and anything that needed to go back to school.

Lunches were packed as much as possible.

Water bottles were filled.

Clothes for the next day were laid out.

Permission slips were signed.

Anything we could do that night meant one less thing to remember during the morning rush.

Your Morning Self Will Thank You

I say “thank you” to Past Me all the time.

Sometimes it’s because I froze a casserole.

Sometimes it’s because I stocked the pantry.

Sometimes it’s because I laid everything out the night before.

It’s amazing how much calmer the morning feels when you’re not searching for one missing sneaker while someone is asking where their math homework is and another child can’t remember where they left their lunchbox.

A little preparation doesn’t make life perfect.

It just makes it easier.

And honestly…

When school starts, easier is a pretty wonderful goal.