Do your mornings often disintegrate into chaos?
A simple school night checklist calms the chaos.
When the prep happens the night before, the mornings suddenly become manageable.
And a checklist ensures it’s not just a parent doing the prepping.
My Story
Getting four kids out the door and on the bus produced a lot of chaos in our home.
I could write multiple stories about lost shoes and no shoes, sandals being worn in the winter (don’t do it, the school will call you!), and any number of other school morning catastrophes.
As much as I knew the key was getting everything ready the night before, most evenings, it simply felt like too much.
As much as I love and live by checklists, why it never occurred to me to make one for school night prep is a mystery.
What a difference it could have made!
While I don’t get a do over, I can pass on the idea to other families who want to escape the morning meltdowns.
As a parent, if you want to reduce morning chaos, start with a school night checklist.
Why a Checklist?
Independence
As a parent, the best gift you can give your kids is the ability to function independently and successfully as adults.
That doesn’t happen suddenly at the age of eighteen.
It’s a lifelong process that begins in early childhood.
A checklist jumpstarts the process-teaching kids to work independently without constant supervision from an adult.
Clear Expectations
A school night checklist lays out clear expectations-no guessing, no forgetting, and no nightly negotiations.
With everything written down in black and white, follow through becomes a much smoother process.
Visual Progress
There is something very satisfying about crossing things off a checklist.
As they cross things off, kids will not only be able to see their progress, but they will be able to visually see how much they have left.
What Should be Included on a School Night Checklist?
Anything that needs to be done before you head out the door in the morning needs to be on someone’s checklist.
Keep the checklist both simple and age appropriate.
However, don’t underestimate the ability of younger kids. Given the opportunity, they can do far more than most parents give them credit for.
The checklists aren’t set in stone. Change them as ages and needs change.
Final Thoughts
If your mornings often disintegrate into chaos, make the effort, and take the time, to implement school night checklists.
Your peace of mind will be worth it.