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It's a well-established fact that I hate mornings. I don't do anything well in the morning. Well, except for sleeping, that is. That is the one thing I'm very good at in the morning. Because I'm allergic to mornings, I've come up with a couple tips to make things a little less painful in those wee hours.1. Coffee. Drink a cup the minute your feet hit the floor. Or, better yet, start an IV drip of coffee as soon as your alarm goes off.
2. Do as much as you can the night before. Make sure homework is completed and signed, backpacks are ready to go, and lunches are made. Set out clothes for little kids to eliminate an hour-long battle of what to wear. (This next one pertains to my 6-year-old) - attempt to find 2 matching shoes and lock them in a safe so he'll be able to locate them in the morning. If you can't find 2 matching shoes, try to at least find a left and right shoe of pairs that look similar.
3. Don't make things more complicated than they need to be! You don't have to braid your daughter's hair every day. Tell her to brush it in the car. Or let her go with it messy and hope she starts a new trend. And you don't need to cook a 12 course meal. Fruit, yogurt, toast, Pop-Tarts, cereal! Quick, nutritious, quick, yummy, quick, inexpensive, quick, filling, and quick!
4. Drive the kids to school in your pajamas. Don't worry about anyone seeing you. If they do, they'll probably be jealous they didn't think of it first. You can shower and get dressed later. After your own bowl of cereal and a couple more cups of coffee.
So, what things do you do to make mornings a little easier? For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here with your practical advice on making mornings less hectic.
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127 comments:
I get up way before the kids do! That way I can get my head screwed on straight before I hear, "Mommy! Where's my...?"
We home school :)
I set everything that has to go with us in one spot and drape the handle of my purse over it all!
Got to love the coffee pots with the timers!! What ever did we do before this wonderful addition to the coffee maker. ALWAYS have it ready to go, helps get me out of bed smelling the heavenly smell of the coffee brewing!
We pick out clothes the night before - make sure our backpacks are all together and by the door, makes the morning go much better.
I make sure I have everything laid out the night before: clothes, shoes, book bags, packed lunches, etc. Breakfast I usually make the night before, either in a crockpot or ricemaker or in a casserole in the fridge that just needs baked. Anything that can be put in the van before hand is already there AND THAT INCLUDES: brushes for hair and shoes, which can be done on the way.
I have my husband give my son his medication on his way out the door to work while I take care of the dog and make breakfast... this saves me some stress and helps things go just a little smoother.
I try to get my shower first thing or else the time gets away to do it!
To make mornings easier, I lay out clothing, paperwork and anything else we don't want to forget. Quick breakfasts are often cereal or a banana and breakfast bar.
chainmail(at) iwon(dot)com
I tweeted about this promotion
http://twitter.com/The_Sunshyn/status/26599052656
I teach and then instruct the marching band in the evenings, so most days, I leave the house around 7am and don't return until 10pm - the key for me - get EVERYTHING ready the night before! - including setting out my teaching clothes, getting my "teaching bag" packed with whatever I need for tomorrow, setting out clothes to wear to band rehearsal, packing lunch for me and the hubby, and setting out everything for breakfast that won't go bad overnight!
I do all of the things you mentioned: coats, shoes, & backpacks ready to go by the back door; clothes all laid out; lunches made. I also get up at 5:30 and make sure breakfast is made and on the table before waking the kids.
Kerry Morgan
I get up early enough to take a nice, long 20-30 minute shower before I have to really do anything. Showers are the only things that wake me up in the morning... and coffee is gross. I feed my son usually microwave oatmeal or a yogurt because they're quick. And then I run around like a chicken with it's head cut off to get everything together while he's eating.
Prepare most possible things in the evening: clothes, food, lunches.
natatheangel at yahoo dot com
I do everything in advance
jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com
We lay out our clothing and prepack lunches. Also, I get up 10-15 min before anyone else in the house it just makes the day flow much better.
I tweeted the giveaway: http://twitter.com/writekeek/status/26624255469
I get up before the kids, get their breakfast ready, and get myself ready while they're eating then the morning is pretty much a breeze from there.
dgoodridge84@yahoo.com
On certain mornings I like to have a little more special breakfast sot the night before when I'm cooking dinner or cleaning up I whip up a batch of choc. chip pancakes or blueberry pancakes and then I put them in the fridge and just warm them up in the a.m.....takes 20 seconds in the microwave and it seems to be a lovely "surprise" for the kids and keeps them motivated to get moving and get to the table! I try to do this about once or twice a month...it truly is amazing how happy it makes the kids and we always leave the house in a better mood.
I set up the coffee the night before on a timer so we wake to fresh brewed!
Love your suggesttions...no one will know you are in your pjs!
Thanks for the great giveaway.
My husband gets our daughter up to change her diaper and feed her while I finish waking up! :) Then I get to sit with her while she eats, and I get to check emails, blogs, etc. LOL
We do pick out clothes the night before and keep the breakfast choices rather simple.
And a good can of soda (CAFFEINE!) sure doesn't hurt!
Uh, make the mornings easier? Yeah, okay. I think my suggestions would be to start school at 10am. I mean, really...do they think the kids are truly functional at 8am? Actually, I suppose the darn kids are. Ooh, wait, how about a morning nanny, who's sole job is to et the kids up and off to school. For free. Yeah, there's my suggestion.
I have zero good ideas for ME to do in the morning.
Put out clothes (including mine) and pack backpacks the night before. I get up before the kids and exercise or shower and get all the breakfast stuff out before I have to wake them up.
ok. true confession time. i don't always shower every morning. sometimes my baseball cap is my best friend! btw, i have been known to drive the kidlets to school in my pajamas as well!
tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/tambee
You gotta lay it all out the night before! It's the only way to stay sane in the AM!
http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/26655225287
tweet
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
Making a batch of baked oatmeal and then having it on hand to warm up for breakfast throughout the week. Super easy!
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
We try to get everything packed and together the night before - school backpacks, lunches, folders filled out, notes to teachers, clothes laid out, mommy's work lunch made, I even lay out my jewelry - THEN I make sure to get up a little before the kiddos to get coffee made, breakfast made, etc. Of course, I have a new baby due the end of this month, so our morning routines may be a little out of whack for a while!! :)
My son is a big cereal eater and I also try to make things I can freeze and easily pull out and pop in the oven!
jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net
I put out all the important stuff on the kitchen counter -checks, signed papers, mail, school projects the night before. I make steel cut oatmeal(boil 3 parts water, shut off gas,throw in the 1 part oatmeal, stir and leave overnight - EASY) the night before and then just add milk/cinnamon/brown sugar and nuke it the next morning. I get up early, walk the dog and shower before leaving the house or it never gets done. I'm a morning person, lol.
Make lunch the night before. I never realized how long it took until I timed myself. About 10 minutes from start to finish... for my lunch.
shutterboo at gmail dot com
Try setting up breakfast the night before, by putting fruit, glasses, spoons/bowls and cereal boxes on the kitchen table, helps breakfast become less hectic. Thanks!
shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/26660175429
shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com
I get my oldest daughter up before getting in the shower. If she does what she is supposed to, she is dressed and can help me get my youngest ready while I'm fixing hair or whatever. On a good day, she gets up and going. But most days, she is still laying in bed asleep when I turn the shower off and call her name. She can't fool me even though she tries :)
I like to set my coffee pot the night before if I remember. That helps with the all-important first cup for Mom!
women@northshorefellowship.org
We lay out clothes the night before, have a breakfast plan already in mind, and we check the hot lunch calendar to see if we'll be packing a lunch or whether or not they'll be buying at school. That way we know just what needs to be done in the morning, and can start preparing in advance if possible (if it's a pb&j sandwich they are taking to school - I can't make it til the next morning -- no one wants a 15+ hour old soggy sandwich for lunch the next day).
as soon as they are old enough to tell time the kids got their own alarm clocks... and were instructed to get up or suffer my wrath... which is ugly when there is no time to ingest the proper amount of coffee before attacking them... after dumping cold water on them and laughing like a maniac... oh sorry i digressed... we would get stuff done and laid out the night before... usually they run out with cinnamon toast or pop tarts in hand... to catch the very patiently waiting bus (they have a great bus driver who waits patiently in the yard for them) then i have more coffee :)
It helps to get up early and have some time for yourself.
To avoid the morning rush, do as much as you can the night before such as laying out clothes for the next day, finishing homework and getting backpack ready, pack lunches, etc also keep quick breakfast on hand such as fav cereals, frozen muffins, pancakes etc to microwave
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/Grandma3710/status/26669773874
I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful, loving husband that gets the kids off for me most mornings lately...I have fibromyalgia (as well as being on disability for various other medical issues like having had cancer twice, seizures, etc), and some mornings I can't get out of bed for the pain.
However, to make things easier on him, we do the things you mentioned...backpacks are loaded up and ready to go the night before. The kids eat at school, so that helps, as there are no lunches to pack or breakfasts to fix, and we're a "uniform policy" school so that helps as well.
We only have 3 kids to dress...can't imagine having to chase after 6 :)
I also try to do as much as I cam the night before. Thankfully I only have 1 to get ready this year! Next year is a different story...
I wake up thirty minutes earlier to get my day started.
MCantu1019@aol.com
Make sure you go over schedules the night before. I have a calendar with dry erase marker( one color for each child's activities) color coded for the month. In a perfect world, everyone will remember where they are supposed to be and when. Mom just needs to remember to pick them up on time...it has happened twice that I left town and forgot a child. A 20 minute trip back. I really do love them....
I lay out the entire outfit the night before & make muffins the night before.
Preparation is the only tip I have for making the mornings run smoother. My husband wakes up my son. When I do, he thinks he is sick, paralyzed, or near death. Yes, not a fun morning for me. When my husband wakes him up, he feels chipper! We make sure he knows where his clothes and backpack are before he goes to sleep so he can put them on without running around the house.
rsmstahley @ adelphia dot net
I tweeted the link here:
http://twitter.com/rsmstahley/status/26680303764
rsmstahley @ adelphia dot net
i pack the kids backpacks in the car at night as well as lay out their clothes at night and have ceral and fruit on hand or poptarts
tcogbill at live dot com
I get up and showered before the kids do. I also make sure everythign is signed and packed up the night before. My child brushes his teeth in the kitchen sink which indicates this is the last step before we head out the door!
My kids are pretty self sufficient for breakfast. They love yogurt cups, so that is a no brainer. What I do do that makes life easier for them is pre-cut the English muffins and bagels. My older son is old enough to toast them himself, but I don’t quite trust his knife skills yet, so if they are already cut, it’s one less thing we have to worry about.
i try to avoid the morning rush by waking up earlier than the rest of the family and getting things done so i can head out the door before anyone wakes up
I get up before everyone else, that gives me time to get my head on straight and get the bowls, milk, and cereal set out.
I lift my toddler out of bed and put her in my car. Her daycare provider feeds her breakfast and gets her dressed. Yes, we have the world's best daycare provider!
We pick out clothes the night before, and put the backpack by the door, make sure anything that needs to get sent back to school is in the backpack the night before.
I always make sure and have everything laid out and ready to go – keys & cell phone together, lunch packed and stuff for the gym ready and waiting!
The oldest two are 16 yo and they can feed theirselves based on the breakfast menu and fix their little sister while I take care of baby and we stick to cereal, oatmeal or frozen waffles and get clothes out the night before
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/26710548857
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
We homeschool. :) Not a lot of rushed mornings here. Woot!
Sleep, everyone needs their sleep or things just are a mess. Hot cereal in the morning helps too!
gmissycat@yahoo.com
Tweeted your giveaway here!
http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/26732420238
gmissycat@yahoo.com
Tweet
http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/26732479597
We keep breakfast very simple with cereal and fruit or bagels and cream cheese so there's no fuss.
I wake up a bit earlier so I have time to check the Internet and just give myself time to slowly wake up. I also try to pre-plan breakfasts so I'm not standing around wondering what I should feed them or have our kids asking for things that take way too much time to cook at the last minute.
clothes ready and easy foods like cereal bars and fruit
I prepare most things the night before so that our mornings run more smoothly. I make lunches, prepare bags and place them by the door, pick out clothes, clean up, etc. We also usually have a "quick" breakfast of a cereal bar, cereal or toasted waffles with peanut butter :)
We set up the night before and breakfast is options of "fast" fixes like you said. We also do all our bath's at night so that there isn't the run by in the morning as well.
My mornings usually run smoother when I get up on time and avoid the snooze button!
I try to have something really easy for breakfast -- cold cereal, bananas, granola bars, etc.
HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM
We eat something quick--like cereal and milk! thanks for a chance to win!
kmassman gmail
Having ready-to-eat foods on hand make morning times a lot simpler. I keep bananas, granola clusters and usually have a supply of baked breakfast goods around, like danish or muffins.
I keep cereal and fruit on hand for busy mornings.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
Tweeted http://twitter.com/amandawk/status/26807022431
Prepare as much as you can the night before.
scoopster(nospam)at yahoo dot com
We avoid the morning rush because I prep everything the night before! For breakfast, we eat cereal, grits or bagels because they are quick and easy to prepare!
thanks
bleatham*at*gmail.com
tweet
bleatham*at*gmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/sleatham1/status/26820943749
Like you, I am NOT a morning person. I lay out clothes the night before because I cannot think clearly in the morning. Also upbeat music while I dress gets me moving :)
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
Now I'm retired I rarely have to rush! :)
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com
tweet! http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/26826544691
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
If they're really running late, breakfast might be a granola bar that they can eat on the way to the bus. Not ideal, but it happens!
Since I stay home with my little ones, we really aren't rushed in the mornings (don't you hate me!). So, the only thing I do to make mornings easy is fix the exact same breakfast every single day.
I put my kids in charge of themselves and their things. My job is to voice the checklist (lunch, homework, gym clothes if needed, cross country practice clothes if needed, etc) and make the sandwich if need be. My son is 11 and daughter is 8. The girl sets her clothes out the night before; the boy not so much, but he's MUCH easier in the morning. They get themselves dressed & downstairs, checking the lunch menu to find out hot or not and if not, to start thinking about what they want for lunch. I get downstairs and take main item orders while they get themselves breakfast. Then after clearing their dishes, they pack the rest of their lunches, brush teeth and hair and we're out the door. Most mornings we're ready before its time to leave. Love it!!! (and probably just jinxed it ;-) )
I always shower and iron my clothes the night before. I also set out my cereal bowl and cereal or oatmeal and have the coffee set to be made when I get up. I think the coffee is the most important part. Then I take some quiet time by myself at the computer before anyone else gets up. I love my quiet time in the early mornings. Just me and the dogs.
http://twitter.com/#!/fostertam/status/26876671953
I make sure everyone is awake in plenty of time to get up
bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com
I pack backpacks and lunches the night before, I also set out clothes and have quick breakfast foods like cereal, bagels and yogurt
s2s2 at comcast dot net
http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/26887208616
Do as much as you can the night before. We are not morning people so if I don't have things organized for mornings before I go to bed - we are in TROUBLE! :)
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
I make sure shoes are found and clothes are laid out the night before. I keep my daughters morning phone calls to friends under 5 min. Cereal is wonderful
floatingonabiscuit@gmail.com
Less hectic is hot or cold cereal and a piece of fruit
http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/26891711066
I'm a HUGE night before person. I get as much ready as possible the night before. Oh, and what's left, I let the hubby deal with - I work away from home, and he does the bus routine! hehe
I make quick cook oatmeal...it's good!
couponboss at gmail dot com
prepare as much as you can the night before.
scoopster(nospam at) yahoo dot com
We try to do as much as possible the night before. We get their snacks ready, put their clothes out. Most importantly, we get a good night's sleep the night before.
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/26964818493
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I like to pick out the day's clothes the night before and stick to easy breakfast foods like cereal, yogurt and bagels.
I like to have portable foods on hand for going in the car, like dry cereal and bagels and bananas. Also laying things out the night before helps.
whitbrit AT gmail DOT com
Our mornings are so much simpler now than they used to be. Why? Everyone who has to leave in the morning has to leave at a different time! Can you imagine? Love it! Plus, my husband works from home now, so neither of us have to go anywhere. I will take someone to school in my pajamas, yesiree.
Our mornings are pretty easy, we set the alarm to allow plenty of time to get dressed and eat. Generally it is something like cereal, poptarts, toast etc. Simple and Quick
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I tweeted
sweokgrl@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/26989890198
We avoid the "morning rush" by fixing lunches, packing back packs and laying out clothes the night before. We also have lots of cereal, yogurts, and fruit for a fast and easy breakfast.
ShawnaMichelle@ymail.com
Aside from having everything ready the night before, I ask them before bedtime if they have any papers for me to sign or if they need a check written or if they need to bring anything special to school. You’d be amazed how many times they’ll say, “Oh yeah!” It’s easier to do it at night than rush in the morning!
Email address is in blogger profile
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/bsw529/status/26992859456
Email address is in blogger profile
We try to stick to the same routine each morning. Get dressed, feed the dog, and grab a quick breakfast.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/26994701608
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
I just yell at my kids from the comfort of my own bed. Unfortunately most mornings they think they can wake me up and get me out by jumping in with me! I guess this method works but it would be better if I got to bed on time! lol!
Preparing lunches and showers the night before helps a ton! :) Another idea is to have bowls already waiting on the table so you don’t have to rush around setting everything. Leave the washing until late as well!
http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/27004755392
tweeted :)
deeg131 at gmail dot com
WHEN EVERYONE'S RUNNING A LITTLE LATE, TAKE THE KIDS THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH. THAT'S MY TIP! kytah00@yahoo.com
SECOND ENTRY TWEET (AS IN THE OFFICIAL RULES) http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/27023861227 kytah00@yahoo.com
I cook breakfast before the kids get up and pick their clothes out the night before. uheeter at comcast.net
i pack my sons backpack and get his clothes ready the night before..and i put anything i might need near my purse so i don't forget it
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
Get myself ready then wake up the kids. Prep the night before
rmartinclarke at gmail dot com
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/rsmc1/status/27043602284
rmartinclarke at gmail dot com
Muffins are great! We have a great recipe for Mormon Muffins which uses All-Bran cereal and buttermilk and will stay fresh in the fridge for a couple of weeks. So, you can actually keep it and bake the morning you want to serve! You should be able to search for Mormon muffins and find them. WHITECARRIE69@YAHOO.COM
We just make sure to be up on time. It's tempting to hit the snooze button..but so not worth it.
Thank you.
http://twitter.com/#!/won2x/status/27051857092
Thank you.
I'm not gonna lie! I TRY to get things together the night before....it doesn't happen. I'm the run-around-like-crazy kinda mom! So, I'm thankful there are plenty of cereals to choose from and that my kids love it!
Get up a little earlier than you think you have to - that way small problems won't derail you for the day.
http://twitter.com/#!/rmgm/status/27058971372 Tweet!
I set my clock off by 15 min so that I really have 15 min extra
m8usi@yahoo.com
tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cappytweet/status/27066135495
m8usi@yahoo.com
I make sure my granddaughter's backpack is packed the night before. That way, we're not running around looking for a missing book or homework paper.
marcia.goss@gmail.com
Tweet.
http://twitter.com/mgoss123/status/27068701782
marcia.goss@gmail.com
it helps to plan ahead and have everything laid out and ready the night before
debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/bellows22/status/27085283796
debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com
We get things ready the night before
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