Last week we offered some tips and tricks to help you get plenty of rest, but even after a full night of shut eye, getting everyone out the door on time is almost guaranteed to be an exercise in patience.
Follow our 6 step plan to easy, breezy mornings and you may even have time to finish a cup of coffee while it's still hot!
Stock up on simple, nutritious breakfasts: Bring the kids to the grocery store with you a few days before school starts and let them help you shop. Having a pantry full of their (nourishing) favorites will make serving up breakfast in the morning a breeze.
Prep the night before: Pick out outfits, pack up lunches, fill water bottles and set shoes by the door. Having everything ready to grab and go could take tons of time off your morning to-do list.
Bathe the night before (you, too!): Even you're used to washing up in the morning, consider making a switch. You may find that getting into clean sheets when you're freshly washed at the end of the day feels great! A spritz or 2 of detangler in the morning will smooth hair as if it's been freshly washed. (Try our Happy Hair Bundle for perfect tresses.)
Don't hit snooze: Try to get to bed on time and set your alarm for about 30 minutes before anyone needs to get up. Use this time to start a wake-up routine you enjoy. Have a cup of coffee, meditate, take a quick jog around the block. Taking some time for yourself will help you feel centered and relaxed, which will ultimately make everyone feel more at ease.
Dress after breakfast: Depending on the age of your kids, mealtime messes can happen way too often. Get in the habit of eating breakfast before getting ready for the day. That way if half a bowl of oatmeal gets dropped on your kids' shirt, it's being changed soon anyway. We also recommend brushing teeth before getting dressed, too.
Take a deep breath. Someone no longer likes the outfit they wanted to wear just 12 hours before? Someone else was doing cartwheels on the lawn while waiting for the bus and slipped in mud? We've all been there. Life with kids means that no matter how much you plan, something will inevitably go awry. Just take a deep breath and try to laugh it off. There's always tomorrow for that hot cup of coffee.
The second that last school bell rang, the bedtime rules likely got a little loose in your house. Whether your kids were lazing around all summer or they were on-the-go at camp, here are 7 tips to help them get back on track.
Start now. Sure, some of us would rather wait till the night before the first day of school to tuck them in early, but the earlier you start the more time you have to ease into things. Going slow means you’re less likely to have a groggy, cranky kid.
Take baby steps. Have your summertime dinners started creeping to 7 or 8pm? Bedtime isn’t starting until after 9? Start rolling everything back about 2 weeks before the first day. Eat dinner just 15-30 minutes earlier each night. That will naturally make baths and bed time happen earlier, too.
Get moving! If the kids aren’t busy at camp or racing around in the yard on their own, make sure they’re getting plenty of exercise during the daylight hours. Long walks, bike rides, swim sessions…or maybe even lots of chores and yard work. If they’re physically tired, they’ll drift off easier.
Nix sugar. We’ve not fans of sugar for a myriad of reasons, but if ever there was a time to start curbing the sweet stuff, it’s now. Everyone knows that sugar rushes and bedtime don’t mix.
Set the alarm. If you’re struggling to get your child to sleep by 8pm, but he’s been sleeping until 9am every day, you’re not going to have much luck. Set an alarm or start clanging around the house at your soon-to-be necessary wake-up time every day.
Try essential oils. Infusing the bedroom with the calming scent of lavender can help a child relax and feel restful. We also recommend using our Norfolk Lavender line at bath time (the line is scented using organic lavender extract). A warm bath and the aroma of lavender can make anyone sleepy!
Set the mood. This may seem obvious, but if you’re rushing around and busy as you're getting the kids ready for bed, they're less likely to feel relaxed. If at all possible, take some time to create a peaceful mood in your home a little while before bedtime. Put on cozy clothes, play relaxing music, and take deep breaths. (Even if you’ll be frantically typing out work emails or cleaning the dishes as soon as they’re tucked in.)
If all else fails, there's no doubt that a few busy school days will do all the work for you!
