Morning routine with children
11 moves and tricks that save time and nerves
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Same procedure as every morning: Even before you leave the house, all family members are maximally stressed. To put an end to this, we have a few little mini tips up our sleeves that have a big impact.
Leaving the house on time without having experienced a nervous breakdown before is a challenge for many parents that they can start anew every morning. Between tired children who don’t want to get up, our own longing for a warm bed, lunch boxes, forgotten homework, a quick cup of coffee and the missing gym bag, only the most organized among us manage to keep calm while the clock ticks tirelessly. If you’re one of them, you have our full admiration and maybe we’re a little jealous too! For everyone else, we have a few little tips ready that can help you get a little more air to breathe in the morning instead of sitting exhausted at your desk at 8 a.m.
Preparation is the mother of the china box…
…or something like that. Porcelain or not: It’s true – preparation creates air and relaxes some minds in the morning. What can that look like? So:
1. Cuddling awake
Not everyone jumps out of bed in the morning feeling energetic and still in a good mood. Especially in autumn and winter, it sometimes takes a moment to even get used to the new day. Sometimes it helps to set the alarm 10 minutes earlier and then snuggle the kids awake a little rather than play the get-up-now-please-on game forever. But be careful: there is a slight risk of dozing off again.
2. After dinner is before breakfast
Pro tip: set the table for breakfast in the evening. Saves a few minutes in the morning and every second counts. You can also get the children involved here: first clear up, then set the table.
3. Muesli instead of bread
You can put muesli on the breakfast table the night before. Even better: overnight oats. They are healthy, require little work and are easy to prepare in the evening. The only requirement: you have to like them.
4. Prepare the coffee machine and kettle
Before you go to sleep, prepare the coffee machine or fill the kettle with water and have a cup ready. Then all you have to do in the morning is press the button and it’s up and running.
5. Braided hairstyle for sleeping: Comb your hair in no time
Parents with long-haired children know the morning struggle with knots in their hair. A braid for sleeping is a real game changer. Simply take out your braid in the morning, comb it briefly and you’re done. Everyone is in a better mood. For the hair pros: a French braid can last a night and if it’s really tight in the morning, you can just leave it in. It can also be done without combing.
6. Clothes check
To avoid a never-ending battle in front of the closet in the morning, put your outfits together and put them out in the evening. Yours too. Saves a lot of time.
7. Dressing bets
It doesn’t always work, but it’s actually a good joker when a child doesn’t really get it. Start a little competition to see who can get dressed the fastest. However, this tip is only a good idea if your child can lose. Or you can let it win.
7. Breakfast in bed
You’ve just put on a fresh outfit and the cereal is already landing on your pants? That’s why we recommend: Have breakfast in your pajamas and only get dressed afterwards.
8. The lunch box
The magic word here is: defrost. Many healthy snacks, such as healthy muffins or savory waffles, can be baked and then frozen. Then just take it out of the oven the evening before and let it thaw in the lunch box. Whoosh, one less move. By the way, we also have inspiration for the lunch box: here
9. Do you have everything?
Before the children go to bed, think together about whether everything they need to take with them tomorrow has been packed. Write down on a piece of paper what you shouldn’t forget the next morning.
10. Do I have everything?
The same applies to you and your belongings that have to come with you.
11. Set a timer
Some of us just aren’t the quickest in the morning and are more of the slow-paced variety. It helps to set a timer for things that usually take a long time because you’re still dreaming or staring straight ahead. Firstly, the children get a feeling for time and it is also an incentive.
Keep calm, radiate security
Of course, it’s easier said than done, but no matter what happens, it’s no use panicking, getting loud or hectic. This is just contagious and, if in doubt, leads to a lot of bad moods and crying children and doesn’t change anything. Take a deep breath, stay calm, see what needs to be done and do it. The world won’t end, we swear!