Mornings can be chaotic. The alarm goes off and it’s time to get everyone up and out the door. But getting everyone out the door on time (and with their shoes on) can sometimes feel like herding cats. If your mornings are a little (or very) chaotic, it’s time to get things under control.
One of the best ways to end morning chaos is to get organized and prepare everything possible the night before.
Also a morning routine will help you feel ready for the day and make your mornings run smoothly.
Here are eight habits that will stop the morning chaos.
- Wake up earlier than your kids. This one is tough if you have kids, but it’s worth it to be a little early. Getting up before your kids gives you a chance to wake up slowly and enjoy a cup of coffee before the craziness begins. For me, this one is absolutely crucial – my mood and energy levels used to be very low in the morning.
- Get everyone’s clothes ready the night before. This includes yourself. Remember, you can also teach your kids to do it when relatively young. Most school-aged children can handle these duties with just a little help from you. Laying out clothes for everyone the night before will save you time and hassle in the morning. Check if anything needs cleaning, washing or repairing. Don’t forget about swimming kits and PE uniforms!
- Make breakfast ahead of time. Prepare breakfast before bed, or at least have some quick and easy options on hand that you can prepare fast. For example, try overnight oats that make themselves while you sleep.
- Set a daily routine to form a habit. Everyone – kids and adults – does better when they know what to expect. A daily routine will help everyone understand what needs to be done and when. Plus, doing the same things turns it into a habit.
- Create a family calendar. Keep track of everyone’s activities and appointments in one place so you can easily see what’s coming up and plan accordingly.
- Set a daily schedule for screen time. Too much screen time can be overwhelming and lead to arguments. Set a daily limit for how much time everyone can spend on devices and stick to it.
- Get everyone involved in the morning routine. If everyone has a specific task to do in the morning, it will help things run more smoothly.
- Don’t forget to take a deep breath. Mornings can be stressful, but try to stay calm and take things one step at a time.
There are many ways to help make the morning go more smoothly and help avoid chaos, but it all starts with getting organized, planning ahead, and creating routines to turn your morning productivity into a habit.
If you are finding that your mornings are always chaotic, try implementing some of these tips. Organizing your day the night before and creating routines will make your mornings less stressful and more manageable.
