It takes some time, but a good morning routine can set you and your kiddos up for a great day! We’re sharing our morning routine that has gotten dialed in over the school year, our hopes for a good summer morning routine, and tips to help you create a morning routine that works for you!
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School is just about out, but I’d say our morning routine is pretty much dialed in. As the year comes to an end, both kiddos are starting to also get on each others’ nerves. This doesn’t bode well for our three months of summer vacation!
Having a schedule and routine throughout the summer is the only way to make it through.So, we may relax a bit, but we’ll try to continue this morning routine through the summer.
Get a little glimpse into our morning routine as it has evolved over the school year, our plans for summer, and some tips for you at the end!
Our Morning Routine during the school year
By the end of the school year, our morning routine is pretty much a well-oiled machine. That is, in part, due to the fact that I’m always running around just one step in front of the kids. Except for when they wake up – then the kiddos are waiting for mom.
Early Morning Cuddles
Regardless of when the kids wake up, they both pile into Mom and Dad’s bed. When they were younger that was something like 5am, but now it’s usually between 6 and 6:30. The kiddos turn the tv on quietly and we all know we have until 7:30 before we need to head downstairs for breakfast.
This is my favorite part of the morning. Those first sleepy “good mornings” and a little time to snuggle between the sheets all together. Sometimes there an argument over who picks the program or who is next to Mom, but most of the time it’s pretty relaxed and a great way to wake up.
At this point, let me brag a bit on our super soft and silky Luxe Bamboo sheets from Linenly. We just switched to these and they’re perfect for summer because they stay nice and cool and feel so good! They are 100% organic bamboo, which I didn’t realize has such a silky feel. Perfect for cuddling! They are also super deep and don’t come off the mattress no matter how rowdy the kids get in the morning jumping all around.
Breakfast
At 7:30 we all head down for breakfast. We don’t get crazy with french toast, pancakes, or waffles during the week. Little Guy usually wants a breakfast sandwich – I explain how we make them so fast here – and Little Lady switches off between yogurt and granola and cottage cheese and toast or a hard boiled egg. Between the two of them, we seem to get breakfast completed before 8am.
Also Read: How to Make Perfect, easy-to-peel hard boiled eggs!
In that time while the kids are eating, I also fill their water bottles and drop snacks in their backpacks. This is the time when we double check that folders were emptied, planners were signed, etc. We also get lunches ready if they need them.
Also Read: School Lunches – healthy food and the best containers
Dressing
By 8am we’re back upstairs and I swing through both bedrooms and set out clothes. This is pretty easy because after laundry is done I usually set out a weeks worth of outfits in Little Guy’s hanging organizers or on Little Lady’s closet shelf.
While the kids get dressed, I swing in the bathroom and put toothpaste on the toothbrushes. As they brush I help Little Lady with her hair.
With all that staying just one step ahead, we’re usually waiting for the bus by 8:10. The kids have 15 minutes to get their bags ready and get some energy out before the bus comes.
Mornings where Mom is busy or we’re running behind
With the way we have things set up, it works well for me to do all the things mention in our morning routine above. However, we have it down to a science and everyone can take care of things themselves when we get busy or behind.
The kids know just what to grab me for their breakfast or when to put something in the microwave or back in the fridge. It’s also usually one of them who grabs the snacks if they’re done with their own breakfast quickly. Outfits are set out ahead of time, so they are perfectly capable of grabbing them. They are also perfectly capable of brushing their teeth by themselves and doing their hair.
Also Read: Spring Cleaning and Closet Organization
Our morning routine is very stress-free, we are almost always early and waiting a while for the bus, and we all do our part. So, what will happen during summer vacation? I’m going to do my best to keep things as similar as possible.
Our Morning Routine during the summer
Typically, our morning routine in the summer is pretty similar to our school year routine. We may move breakfast back to 8 or 8:30, but the kids can’t wait much longer than that. However, we all love the chance to cuddle in Mom’s bed just a little bit longer.
The main change with summer is that we’re not on such a tight schedule. I don’t do much of the helping or staying one step ahead of the kids. I’m more able to get myself ready in the morning right along with them.
We all do breakfast as usual, but there isn’t any double-duty getting snacks or backpacks ready. As I mentioned before, they have outfits ready to go, and in the summer I let them pick what they want. They also can brush their teeth and do their hair.
From this point on, we’re going to need more of a morning routine for summer. It’s so easy to let screen time extend a bit in the morning. However, we’re going to try to get out in the morning as often as possible and have a plan.
Also Read: Kids Summer Journal
Tips for a smooth morning routine with kids
I’m pretty proud of our morning routine. We’ve been fine-tuning this since the kids were in preschool. There are definitely some things we’ve gotten used to that have helped the kids become more independent in the mornings. So, if you’re just starting out with younger kiddos, I have some tips for you!
Set an exact time for getting out of bed.
If your kids are early risers, like most kids are, start a morning routine that involves some quiet time. Through trial-and-error find what works best – books, tv, just quiet cuddles – and an exact time that works best for getting out of bed. That way, you eliminate the constant questions about when breakfast is, or on the opposite end lazy bones who set your whole day off course.
Also Read: A Month of Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches
Take care of last minute things during breakfast.
While the kids are eating, I usually have the best shot at their attention. This is when we double check folders, planners, items needed for the day, and snacks and water bottles. We get everything ready while breakfast is cooking, while they are eating, or right when they are finished. This way, everything is ready to go after dressing and brushing teeth.
Set out outfits ahead of time but leave room for choices and weather changes.
One of the best things we’ve done to help our morning routine is have outfits set out ahead of time. We have hanging organizers in the kids’ closets – or a shelf – designated to the week’s outfits. Usually after laundry is finished, I set out at least one week of outfits. From there, the kids can pick them out easily themselves.
Do hair and teeth at the same time.
A big time-saver with a little girl is to start working on hair right as she brushes her teeth. Any tasks you can do at the same time is going to help tremendously. I like to keep Little Lady’s hair out of her face, so we almost always do something with it. If we are ever behind she is perfectly capable of brushing it herself and slapping a hair binder on her wrist.
Keep them busy.
We are usually ready for the bus 15-20 minutes before it arrives. In that time, if I don’t have the kiddos busy doing something, so many things can come up and set us behind! When the weather is nice, we usually go outside to play as they wait. If the weather isn’t nice, it helps to read books inside. Either way, as long as the kids are busy we have less cries of tummy aches, wanting to take something to school, finding something to play with and make them late, etc.
Are you a morning cuddler? Or an early riser who gets up before the kids?
As much as I’d love to be an early riser and enjoy the quiet before the kids get up, I can’t give up our morning cuddles. There is something so sweet about those sleepy moments. It’s always a surprise which one I’m going to see first and I get just a few minutes alone with them until the other cuddles in. They always pull Dad’s pillow closer to me, cuddle into my arm for a hug, and get cozy under the covers.
I have to say thank you to Linenly for inspiring me to share our morning routine, since that cuddle time in mom and dad’s bed is my absolute favorite part of the day. I highly recommend their super soft and silky 100% bamboo sheets – especially for summer because they have such a cool and silky feel. You’ll also love the super deep pocket of the fitted sheet to help it stay in place no matter how many monkeys you have in your bed!
What tips do you have for a great morning routine with kids?
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