Get Up When Your Alarm Goes Off
Pack Lunch The Night Before
Whether it's you, the hubs or the kids who are brown-bagging it, make everyone's lunches the night before. It'll add 10 extra minutes to your evening rather than adding a frantic 10 extra minutes that you don't have to your morning.
Lay Your Clothes Out The Night Before
There's nothing like a fashion emergency to make you late in the morning, so avoid one by choosing your attire the night before.
Only Do What's Necessary
It may be fun to lay in bed with the kids for 10 extra minutes in the morning±or try that from scratch pancake recipe you've never tried before—but none of that is necessary when you've got to hit the road and get to work. Save experiments for the weekend. Weekdays are for necessities.
Be Realistic About Your Commute Time
Planning for a to-the-minute commute isn't realistic or helpful. Be realistic. Trains run late. Buses don't always arrive. And there's always some traffic issue on the morning drive. Plan for them. Better to be 10 minutes early than 10 minutes late.
Overestimate Time
Give yourself a time cushion to allow for the kid that has to run back in the house to use the restroom, the dog that has to go out right when you're about to leave or that coffee you spilled that has to be cleaned up. You'll undoubtedly need the extra time in the morning so planning for it will keep you on time.
Get Everyone In On The Morning Routine
If you've got a partner and/or kids, get them in on the morning routine. Big kids can grab their own breakfast, little kids can get their own shoes on. Dad can help with breakfast and Mom can pack the dreaded lunches and snacks. The point is, everyone in the house can participate and make mornings run smoothly and keep you on time.
