With kids returning to school in recent weeks, households are back to their early morning routines after a more relaxed summer schedule. You can make the back-to-school transition easier by ensuring you and your home are organized and well-prepared for those sometimes crazy moments.
For example, everyone needs the bathroom in the morning, and your family can avoid a traffic jam by planning ahead. Use a chalk or white board to create a bathroom calendar, so family members who need to get out the door first on a particular day are given priority. A little advanced planning goes a long way, too, so make sure to have everything needed to get the day off to an easy start ready to go – from towels and toothbrushes to soap and hair brushes.
In the kitchen, make breakfast simpler by assigning jobs to everyone. This can include toaster duty, setting and clearing the table, and placing dishes in the sink or dishwasher. You can also save time and prevent potential arguments by planning a weekly breakfast menu with easy-to-make, healthy items such as fresh fruit, eggs and cereal.
When it comes to getting out the door quickly, being able to find clothes, jackets, shoes and bags is a must. Be sure your closets are organized in a way that helps you grab and go. Consider closet accessories like hangers with multiple rows for pairs of pants if your children wear school uniforms, or a daily closet organizer with a shelf for each day of the week. Keep shoes and backpacks in one spot – maybe by the front door – so they will be easily located on the way out.
