Transition Time
Trial Runs
Horton suggests beginning your back-to-school routine two weeks before the first day of school. Think of it as practice for the actual race. Set the alarm, get ready and eat breakfast as though you're aiming to be out the door by a certain time (even if you're not). In addition to getting accustomed for your routine, this will help you work out any kinks, such as realizing you're not waking up early enough or that the bathroom is in too high of demand at the same times.
Ten Minutes a Day
Going to bed earlier and waking up earlier should be a gradual process. To help your kids ease in, put them to bed 10 minutes earlier each night and wake them up 10 minutes earlier each morning until you reach your "target times," suggests Horton. Then, have patience on the days when it doesn't work because, inevitably, those will always happen. The key is to keep trying and have faith that it will eventually start to stick.
Command Center
In Horton's house, there's a family command center where the calendar is stationed, noting everyone's various schedules each day. "This helps the kids grasp the concept of time, which makes a big difference in the mornings," she explains. Review the calendar prior to the morning (perhaps after dinner or on the way up to bed) so that everyone is on the same page for the next day's events.
Delegate Duties
Another component of the command center is to designate jobs to each family member, including the kids. For example, Horton's 9-year-old daughter is in charge of writing appointments on the calendar each month while her 8-year-old daughter writes the weekly dinner menu on a whiteboard. Meanwhile, her 6-year-old son is in charge of making sure important papers get seen. Giving kids tasks help them learn accountability while taking a few responsibilities off Mom and Dad's plates.
Get Crafty
Making your back-to-school routine into a family project is another great way to get the kids involved and excited for school. A quick search on Pinterest is bound to give you some good ideas, says Horton, whether you're just looking for some sample morning schedules or an arts and crafts project, such as a magnetic board "checklist" for your children to complete each morning and evening.
Encourage Self-Sufficiency
It may be uncomfortable at first to relinquish control, but giving kids independence to get ready for school on their own will reward you with less stressful mornings. In fact, this has been Horton's tactic since when her kids were three years old. Six years later, she's continued to take a hands-off approach and credits this to the success of their smooth school mornings. The kids have developed their own routines, which involve waking up on their own, brushing their teeth, washing their faces, combing their hair, getting dressed, eating breakfast, cleaning up and making lunch before heading out the door. Encourage them to stay consistent, and their routines will eventually become muscle memory, she says.
