Hi, fellow parents! You know the drill—back-to-school time means soaring excitement, shining new shoes, and… yep, those “back to school jitters” that hit us, too! The truth? We’re all in this together. From serving breakfasts to making sure everyone’s buckled in the car before the clock strikes 7:50 am, it’s a morning marathon! But fret not, because guess what? We’ve got a treasure trove of tips to help us breeze through those chaotic mornings and emerge victorious with G-d’s help. So, if the thought of organizing the family chaos sounds like your typical morning, buckle up – we’re diving into the ultimate guide to kick-start your mornings in style!

1. Pro-Level Prep: Conquer The Night Before

Ready to make mornings smoother than cream cheese on a bagel? Pack lunches, snacks, sign permission slips, and gear up with school supplies the night before. Get the kids on board for age-appropriate tasks – teamwork makes the dream work!

Product Recommendation: Simplify your lunch prep with the Bentgo Kids’ Bento-Style Lunch Box, featuring compartments to keep food fresh and organized. You can even color code for meat and dairy options!

2. Baby Brigade: Pre-Packed Delights

Have that diaper bag ready and waiting – along with your own essentials. Some even prepare their bags in the car before the day kicks off. It’s like a morning magic trick!

Product Recommendation: Stay organized with the versatile Skip Hop Duo Signature Diaper Bag that offers dedicated pockets for baby and mom essentials.

3. Outfits On Point, Stress On Mute

Struggling with the “Where’s my other shoe?” saga? Get ahead by prepping outfits, shoes, and accessories. Hang them up on designated hooks or store them in bins, ready to roll for each day of the week. Chaos? Not invited!

Product Recommendation: Organize outfits effortlessly with the Daily Kid Closet Organizer featuring spacious compartments for each day’s ensemble.

4. Bedtime Bliss: Transition Like A Pro

Navigating bedtime transitions can be as tricky as solving a Rubik’s Cube. To ease into the “back to school” mode, have your children go to bed closer to their school bedtime routine the week before.

Most importantly, getting to bed on time will help children get ready to start the day in the morning!
This includes YOU! You need the strength to seize the day. There is nothing like a good night’s rest! Hallelujah!

If your children have a hard time waking up, back up their bedtime by 5-minute increments the night before, till they reach the necessary sleep for their age. (Speak to your pediatrician or look up recommended sleep times for each age group online.)

Product Recommendation: Enhance bedtime routines with the Mella Ready to Rise Children’s Sleep Trainer that uses colors and facial expressions to signal wake-up time. Especially useful for super early-rising kids who need visual reminders when it’s ok to wake up everyone else!

5. Rise And Win: For The Early Birds

Ever tried enjoying a cup of coffee before the kids turn the house into a zoo? Rising just a tad earlier sets the stage for a serene morning – and hot coffee and even time to daven!

Product Recommendation: Keep your morning brew warm with this Coffee Mug Warmer in case you don’t get a chance to drink it right away.

6. Bye-Bye Meltdowns, Hello Sanity

Oh, those dreaded morning meltdowns! If your child is always running late and takes 30 minutes to do something while having only 20 minutes before they head out, do not expect them to make it happen without a meltdown or two.

Instead, wake them up 10 minutes earlier to allow for the 30 minutes they needs to get ready like a mentsch.

Product Recommendation: Ease wake-up woes with the gentle lighting of the Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock, which mimics sunrise for a peaceful start to your day.

7. Negotiation-Free Zone: Set Clear Expectations

Avoid negotiations and morning meltdowns with clear and concise expectations set and discussed well beforehand.

Creating a routine chart helps identify what is expected of the child in the morning.
Some examples include, wash hands, brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, put snacks in backpack, put shoes on, etc.

As your child completes each task, they can put a magnet, sticker, or check to cover the task. The child learns responsibility and independence simultaneously. A motivating factor (i.e. prize or special privilege) might encourage them to follow through on the chart effectively.

Product Recommendation: Foster responsibility with the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Magnetic Responsibility Chart, which promotes independence through task tracking.

8. Breakfast Blitz: Dress First, Feast Later

Turn breakfast into a double win: kids get to sit down for breakfast once they’re dressed. We call it the “Put on your shoes, get a pancake” strategy. You’re welcome!

Product Recommendation: Whip up fun breakfasts with the Dash Mini Maker: The Mini Waffle Iron Machine – a delightful way to start the day.

9. Breakfast Breeze: Freeze For The Win

Weekday breakfast prep got you like “Nope, not today!”? Prepare a batch of your faves – waffles, pancakes, the works – and freeze them for a week of stress-free breakfasts. It’s like a brunch buffet on demand!

Product Recommendation: Keep breakfasts fresh with the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers that are airtight and stackable.

10. The Musical Magic Of Calm

Got a playlist that lights up your world? Use it to your advantage! When your family’s favorite songs play, it’s time to move to the next task. Use the tracks as timers! It’s like turning chores into a dance party.

Product Recommendation: Set the tone with the Portable Bluetooth Speaker for a morning filled with melodious motivation.

There you have it – your master toolkit for taming the morning madness! With these 10 turbo-charged tips and pro-approved products, you’re ready to soar at morning efficiency. From preparation to routines, these strategies unlock smooth school mornings. Remember, your energy shapes the vibe for the whole family. By embracing these tips, you’re on track to master morning mayhem.

And in the hustle, don’t forget your steadfast ally. Prayer is your power move. Lean on it as you tackle the morning rush – a whispered prayer can do wonders.

Until next time, rise and shine,
Adina Forouzan

P.S. Share your favorite tip or idea in the comments below and let’s make our mornings even more fabulous!

Adina Forouzan is Cleveland’s top luxury home organizing expert and founder of Master My Space. She crafts personalized spaces tailored to your unique personality, offering strategies that truly resonate. Connect at mastermyspace.com or on Instagram: @mastermyspace.