Have you ever stopped and asked yourself the question, what in the world can I do to help us have a better morning?
When our kids were young, we had to get four kids ready, out the door and onto the bus or into the car. Making that happen usually entailed a flurry of last-minute activity, including lots of last-minute scrambling for papers, backpacks, shoes, and coats.
Once, in the middle of winter and in a fit of frustration, Brian sent our youngest son to school in socks and sandals. That, inevitably, resulted in a call from the school.
By the time I arrived at work, I felt like I had survived a tornado.
All that chaos could have been avoided if only we had been somewhat more intentional in the evenings.
If you want to have a better morning, focus on the things you can do the evening before.
The things you can do the evening before range from the obvious to the not so obvious.
First, focus on the obvious things you can do that will help you get out the door without losing your mind.
Before everyone is exhausted, get outfits ready for the next day.
Make sure everyone has an outfit picked out and ready to go. This includes shoes, socks, and underwear.
Countless hours are lost looking for matching shoes and socks. Matching socks might be optional but matching shoes, not so much. Sandals in winter is probably not a great idea.
If you want to be super organized, or you simply don’t want to deal with clothes every night, use the week-end to get clothes ready for the week.
If picking out outfits puts you into overwhelm, a personal uniform. might be the answer.
Any kind of bag that leaves the house in the morning should be packed and ready to grab and go.
Backpacks should be ready to walk out the door with their appropriate person. Have a designated backpack pickup area.
A pegboard installed near the door makes a great place to hang backpacks.
Lunches can be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator. This applies to adults and kids alike.
Computers and all electronics should be in their cases and ready to roll.
Don’t be a hero and try to do everything yourself.
Even a very young child can help. Getting their own gear ready is a great way to begin teaching organization and independence.
ANYTHING that goes out the door in the morning should be made ready the evening before.
If you want to ramp up your morning and go from a good morning to a great morning, turn your attention to the not so obvious things.
Start making a mental note of all the things you do in the morning. What can be shifted and done the evening before?
My list is ever changing and evolving, depending on what is going on in my life at the time.
Are you a coffee or tea drinker? Get everything ready to make your brew of choice the evening before.
Fill the filters during the evening kitchen clean up.
Have the water ready to pour in or turn on.
If possible, use a timer.
Every minute you can cut out of the morning prep is a win.
Make a point to clean the kitchen each evening.
Spend fifteen minutes cleaning up the kitchen and getting ready for the next morning.
The kitchen doesn’t need to be immaculate, just good enough to get through the following morning.
Nothing derails a morning quicker than having to navigate through a very messy kitchen.
Do whatever breakfast prep you can.
Put bowls, cereal, and silverware on the table.
Milk can be transferred to a container from which even a five-year-old can pour.
If your breakfast consists of cereal bars, lay them out.
Think of anything possible that can be completed ahead of time to prepare for breakfast.
Do you have animals to feed in the morning?
Put the food in the bowls the evening before and have the bowls ready to put out for the animals.
It seems like a little thing, but it is still a time saver.
Review your calendar for the next day.
Ever get up in the morning and realize someone has an 8:00 a.m. appointment about which you totally forgot?
Review your calendar and make sure no commitment was overlooked.
Give yourself some extra time.
If you think you need an hour to get ready in the morning, pad that number. Set your alarm to give yourself at least another half and hour.
Not having to rush changes the entire tone of the day.
And last, but honestly probably one of the most important, make sure there is gas in your vehicle.
Nothing, but nothing, will derail a day as quick as getting in a vehicle and realizing you are out of gas. Trust me.
It’s worth an evening trip to the gas station if your tank needs filled.
Getting ready the evening before when you are already exhausted can seem overwhelming.
Start with one thing. After it becomes part of your new routine, add another. One day, you will have a calm morning and you will realize that the work the evening before is absolutely worth it.
A good day begins with a good morning and a good morning starts with the things you do the evening before.
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