Spell out Your Morning Routine
Figure out a morning list of to-dos for each kid, and post it
where everyone can see. “I used to spend most of the morning
repeating myself over and over—get your socks on, brush
your teeth, pick up your dishes already,” says Melissa Taylor, a
Denver mom of two and founder of Imagination Soup, a learning
website. “After I made each child a personal checklist, all I had
to remind them to do was check it.”
prep rally
Start getting the whole family into
a back-to-school routine.
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Create a
Homework Station
Find a spot that’s relatively
quiet (far from TV and
distracting siblings) and make
sure it’s well-lit and has a comfy
chair. Stock it with a power
cord, pencils, pens, erasers,
and a sharpener—and create
folders or trays for work that
needs to be done and work
that’s finished, Crew says.
Hold a Family Meeting
The days just before school starts will get
hectic, so gather everyone now to talk about
your family’s hopes and plans for the new
school year. You can even create an agenda,
talking to each family member beforehand so
everyone feels like a part of things. Topics can
include what kids like (or loathe) in their lunch
boxes, what to do if you see someone being
bullied, or which extracurricular activities look
interesting. Give everyone a chance to be heard.
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Create a Landing Strip
No more tripping over a pile of shoes and backpacks.
Organize an area near the door where kids can unload as
soon as they walk in. Include spots for a backpack, shoes,
coat, and school papers (plus an instrument, if your kid
plays), says Charleston, S.C., organizer Stacey Crew,
author of The Organized Mom. “It’s the best way to not
miss anything in the morning,” she says. “You can just
grab lunch from the fridge and go.”
