Hi imperfect mum's, have any of you figured out how to get your kids to get themselves ready before school without having to tell them a million times?
I am a single mum with four kids aged almost 8, 5, 2 and three week old. We really would benefit from my older two getting ready without me having to loose it every morning. They know what they need to do and are more than capable. They just keep stuffing around and playing, arguing etc.
I have tried lists and rewards charts, getting things ready the night before, explaining why but all to no avail.
I am just too tired and honestly I get cranky too fast at the moment since having the new buba who doesn't sleep at night. I just want them to be ready to go before they start playing. At the moment I have to nagg and raise my voice through every step until I am ready to call it a day before we are even out the door.
I need tips from organised mums desperately.
Getting kids ready for school
Getting kids ready for school
Posted in:
Kids
6 Replies
My kids are 8, 10 and 11.
Our mornings are utter chaos unless we get everything organised the night before. So routine is absolutely key.
Clothes are washed, dried and put on the ends of their beds for the next morning. Clothes are put on as soon as soon as they get up. No ifs or buts.
Lunches are made the night before and everything else they need packed in their bags.
I insist they help me with all this in the afternoons before they get to do anything else.
Same in the mornings, they dress, eat, clean teeth and pack lunch then i allow them to watch TV or use their devices only once all that's done, which usually gives me half an hour to get myself organised in peace.
You've gotta be willing to enforce it though and honestly, they do still need reminding. They can be capable but expecting them to just do it, expecting them to just know - that is unrealistic and will just lead to everyone feeling stressed and resentful.
Write out a task list/take remotes/iPads/controllers at the end of the night - laminate the jobs list have one each for them with Monday to Friday sections on them. At the end of the week if they do it every day they get to choose the Friday night movie.
1. Have breakfast - make sure it easy like cereal and milk or toast (my 6 year old can do her own as long as the milk isn’t too heavy)
2.Wash hands
3. Brush Teeth
4. Wash face
5. School clothes on (make sure they are easily accessible and ready for them to wear, not in baskets on the couch, not in the dryer but set up and ready for them to grab out and put on)
Socks and shoes on
6a(Make lunch)
6b Lunches in bags
7. Water bottle in bag
8. Home work folder in bag
Once all these jobs are done then give them the tv remotes/iPads/ps controllers.
We don’t organise much the night before. I make lunches fresh every morning (4 kids- 2 at PS one at high school) honestly it’s about routine and how you have taught them. If they see you sitting around taking your time in the morning (prior to having bubs they’ll mimic you and your actions) our kids are products of our parenting. Weekends are free range as long as we don’t have sport.
- I get lunches done the night before. In the fridge where they can reach it.
- There is no TV/ipad time in the morning. At all.
- Get up, put lunch box and water into the bag
- Have breakfast (usually porridge, but toast they can make themselves).
- Brush teeth, wash face and brush hair.
- Clothes on. Shoes on.
- Feed the fish.
- We are out of the door.
Clothes etc are ready the night before and it saves sanity. Last year I actually had a little to do list on the fridge that was followed and it worked really well.
Rewards chart works in our house! I always offer double rewards when he instigated getting ready too without being asked!
Also no Tv or device until they are ready. If and when they are ready if there is time tv can go on.
I hope you recognise you're doing it TOUGH!
They're all very young, getting out the door is a nightmare so for a part of it take a breath and don't lose it.
A visual schedule. I know you've tried it, but it needs to be there always. 5 things (pictures) in order on a poster where they can check it.
Tv and devices off and then you just push them through that routine.
Make sure you are giving yourself enough time and celebrate lots when it goes well.
Personally we do breakfast first (while I get ready) then the eldest to the bathroom while I dress and brush hair of youngest. Then pack lunches, water bottles, do pets.
It sounds so straightforward written like that but it never is, it's very stressful even on the good days.
I have an 8 and 10 yo and only now are they starting to get themselves sorted in the morning.
- I use an iPad with jobs to tick off and one of those visual timers and an alarm to show how long they have, and if they finish earlier they get screen time (they come off pretty well so I’m lucky).
- I do as much as I can with the lunches the night before and they do their snacks.
- I hang their uniforms so they can just reach it down and get dressed.
- I check over their list but I step back whilst they’re completing it (or not) and leave at the time ready or not. If they’re not ready at all and I have to drive them in late, I’ll write on the slip that they refused to be cooperative. Hasn’t happened much anymore 😂
- I then have a tea and do a breathing or short meditation or have a shower/breaky after the chaos is over.