Morning Tips for Moms

Tips to Make Your Mornings Easier

by Katie Hegger

If you work outside the home and need to drop your children off at daycare or if you have school-aged children and need to get them up and off to school, you know how stressful it can be to rush around in the morning.  Even if you are a stay-at-home mom with babies or toddlers, there are days when you need to be somewhere at a specific time. 

Doing the following things BEFORE YOU GO TO BED each evening will help to make your mornings run smoother:

1. Set the Breakfast Table – After you clear the dinner dishes and clean the table, set out bowls, spoons, cups, cereal boxes, etc. for breakfast. 
2. Restock Your Diaper Bag – Make it a habit to check your diaper bag every evening and restock necessary items.  Put a clothespin on the bag to remind you to grab any last minute items before leaving the house, such as bottles of formula.   
3. Pack School Bags – Help or have your school-aged children get their backpacks ready before they go to bed.  Make sure any homework, permission slips, library books, or other special items are inside their bags. 
4. Choose Outfits – Help your children to choose their outfits for the next day.  If there is going to be a battle with your child over what to wear, it will be easier to handle now than in the morning.  If you work outside the home, make sure to also select your outfit the night before.  The last thing you need when you’re rushing to get everyone ready is to find out all your blouses need ironed or your favorite dress slacks are still at the dry cleaners.   
5. Pack Items Into Your Vehicle – Load whatever you can into your car, van, or SUV the night before.  This might include your briefcase, your child’s 3-D project for school, balls for playgroup at the park, etc.  Anything you can load up at night will save you valuable time in the morning!
6. Get to Bed on Time – Make sure to get a good night sleep yourself! 

Evenings can be tough for moms.  We are all tired after a long day with kids, jobs, or both.  The thought of doing all of this at night may seem overwhelming, but waiting to do everything in the morning when you are in a hurry will not be any easier. 

Make a commitment to try this for a week and you will find mornings to be much easier!