As we get further into the school year, we know it can get easier to slow down in the mornings and be late for school. Although your family is back into a school routine, things start to get more and more hectic, especially as we near the holidays.

By creating new habits for both school nights and mornings, you can help set yourself and your family up for success. Here are eight tips that can help your family build a routine that makes getting to school on time less stressful and more manageable. 

1. Start with Your Nighttime Routine

The key to a smooth morning is preparing the night before. Make it part of your bedtime routine to prep anything you can for the next day — pack school lunches, lay out clothing and get backpacks ready to go. This way, you won’t be scrambling in the morning.

Tip: Save time making lunches by taking advantage of our free lunch program! You can skip the lunch prep and know your child is getting a free nutritious meal, thanks to our Food Services team.

2. Get to Bed Early

Easier said than done, but an early bedtime ensures your family is getting needed sleep and still waking up on time. Plus, when everyone is well-rested, mornings can be less of a struggle and more enjoyable. Encourage a consistent bedtime to ensure everyone gets enough sleep.

Tip: Add something your family enjoys to the bedtime routine to help make kids (and yourself!) look forward to it, such as reading a book together.

3. Set Multiple Alarms

Alarms are a great way to ensure you wake up on time — but let’s face it, hitting the snooze button happens. Set a second or even third alarm just in case, and make sure they’re early enough that you have some extra time in the morning to avoid feeling rushed. If you know you’re a snoozer, push your alarms back so that you know you’ll be up on time.

4. Something To Look Forward To

Make mornings more enjoyable by having something to look forward to. It’s always a little bit easier to get out of bed in the mornings when you’re excited for the day — think about how easy it is to get up early when you’re going on vacation instead of school and work. While not every day can hold that much excitement, it doesn’t hurt to do something small to motivate yourself and your family to get up.

It could be setting aside time for yourself to read or journal, indulging in a favorite breakfast, or simply having a few moments to enjoy your morning coffee. Giving yourself (and your family) a positive start to the day can make a big difference in how the morning and rest of the day go.

5. Eat a Nutritious Breakfast

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast is important for energy and focus, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Opt for something quick and easy to prepare, like yogurt with fruit, oatmeal, or whole-grain toast.

Tip: Remember, all of our schools serve free breakfast before the start of the school day.

6. Set a Departure Time

Decide on a set time that you need to leave the house to get to school on time, and stick to it. Build in a little extra time for unexpected delays like traffic or last-minute hiccups (like those days someone spills breakfast on their clothes and needs to change or the dog tracks something into the house that must be cleaned up before leaving).

7. Leave Belongings by the Door

Avoid last-minute scrambling by packing everything you and your family need by the door the night before. Having backpacks, lunch bags, and anything else needed ready to grab will make leaving the house smoother and more organized. That way, you’re hopefully not hunting for missing homework assignments or PE clothes at the last moment.

8. Consistency is Key — Stick to the Routine

The key to any successful routine is consistency. Repeat your healthy habits as much as possible until they become second nature. Talk with your family about why the routine is important and how it helps to be prepared for school and everyday life. These habits will benefit students now and in the future, helping them develop responsibility for college and the workplace.