As a mom of four, I know just how hard it can be to get everyone out the door on time without any shouting or meltdowns?especially after the long, lazy days of summer. Try these parent-tested tricks to start a morning routine for school that gets everyone?s day off to a smooth and hopefully relaxed start.
Prep the night before
At my house, it can often feel like half the morning routine happens before my head hits the pillow the night before. Caitlin Schoo, a teacher and mom of three kids, ages eight, six and 19 months, from Milton, Ont., uses the same strategy. A lot of the groundwork is done in the evenings, when lunches are made and backpacks are filled with whatever is needed for the next day. 
A calendar or whiteboard that lists library visits, gym classes, homework due dates, field trips and extracurriculars can help prevent any last-minute scrambling for missing items. Schoo also sets her alarm early to give herself some extra time to get organized and ready before the kids are up. ?It?s hard to do anything if my toddler is with me,? admits Schoo, whose husband heads out the door before the rest of the household. Come dressed and ready
Schoo?s family has a rule that everyone comes to the breakfast table dressed for the day. They use weekends to catch up on laundry, and the kids help by choosing five outfits (the family throws in some educational fun by checking the weather forecast), which are then added to a bin for each day of the week. ?Not only is it easier for ...