I am not always the most organized person in the general sense. But, when it comes to being prepared for work, step aside, I am going to be ready in the morning.
My husband still teases me about my robotic ways when it comes to preparing for work. Like clockwork, I go through a routine–and get a little feisty if it gets derailed–to be prepared for the next day.
Here are a few of my tried and true, simple steps to be ready for school or work.
Set clothes out the night before
This seems like a simple task, but you would be amazed out how many times I have had to go in my kids’ rooms and search for a shirt or socks, only thirty-seconds before we have to walk out the door.
Find a spot in your kids’ room where they can pick out and set their clothes each night. Help them set out the entire ensemble, including shoes. We’ve spent too many mornings searching high and low for shoes, that are usually in really weird places…like underneath the cat’s bed.
Get backpacks ready
Many teachers have jumped on the bandwagon of placing their school supply list online. This makes it easy for you to purchase supplies before school starts. If you are lucky enough to get a hold of that list, get the supplies, and help place them in your child’s backpack. They will leave a great first impression if they have school supplies ready on the first day of school.
Most kids need:
- Three-ring binders
- Paper
- Pencils
- A portable USB drive
- Composition folders
- Ruler
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissue
Get lunches ready the night before
Helping kids pack their lunch seems like a small task, but that is one less thing you will all have to worry about in the morning. If you need to run to the store for an item, it’s better to do it the night before, rather than in a rush in the morning.
Here’s a list of some of the items we pack:
- PB&J (or local honey)
- Chips
- Baby carrots
- Celery and peanut butter
- Cherry tomatoes
- Water
Get a good night’s sleep
Sometimes, it can be a little stressful knowing school will be starting the next day. Getting a good night’s sleep will help kids feel rested, and ready to start the new school year off with a bang.
Turn in a little earlier than usual, so you and your family can start to settle in for the night. Shut off the television, smartphones, iPad’s and the like. Grab a good, old-fashioned book and start reading. You will all get in your reading time, and start to settle down for the night. It’s a great habit to get into each and every night.
Eat a healthy breakfast
I’ve sent my kids off to school with nothing more than a banana, and it didn’t keep them full very long, or add much nutrition to their morning. Don’t get me wrong; bananas are good for you, but kids need something more substantial to get them through the morning. There have been years that my children didn’t get their lunch break until afternoon. They did eat breakfast, but they were super hungry by lunchtime, and learning is tough when your tummy is growling. Getting protein in their diet will help them stay satisfied longer.
Here’s a few ideas for breakfast:
- Scrambled eggs
- Hardboiled eggs
- A bowl of Cheerios with milk
Leave five minutes early
On the first day of school, it never hurts to leave early. The bus might arrive a few moments early. If you’re driving to school, plan for extra traffic. Everyone has been home and off the roads all summer, and now students, buses, and teachers will all be driving to school. Leaving for school a little early will give you the ability to get to school on time, and prepare for any traffic situations.
Lots of hugs and kisses
Lots of students have jitters on their first day back to school. I was always a bit nervous about starting school, meeting my teacher, and meeting new friends. Many kids have a hard time with new beginnings, so lots of hugs and kisses from mom and dad can go a long way throughout the day. Here are a few ideas to make things easier:
- Stick a note in your child’s lunchbox
- Walk your younger child into their classroom on the first day
- Give them a hug as they are going out the door and remind them how smart they are, and that they will be successful
- Place a sticky note on their folder where they will see it when they get to class
Starting school can be a fun and exciting part of the year. Preparing for school the night before will give everyone plenty of time to get ready in the morning without worry. Having everything ready will keep stress at bay, and provide a great start to the first day of school.
