13 Ways To Make Getting Out The Door Easier

I am always looking for the most efficient way to do something. Getting my 2 young kids out the door was a challenge me. They just don't share my same sense of urgency when it comes to getting to places on time. 

As my kids get older I know some of these things will be unnecessary, but for my 3 and 5 year-olds this works perfectly. It keeps them involved, gives them some responsibility and accountability, but limits the number of things that can suck the time out of our mornings.

1. Check the weather. Don't just assume you know the temperature, you don't want to have to change outfits, find a jacket, search for rain boots or an umbrella just because you didn't take 2 minutes to check the weather the night before. Plus, you may have to adjust travel times due to snow or ice.

2. Get clothes ready the night before. This also includes any uniforms or clothing for any extra activities (swimming, dance, etc.).

My kids help choose what they are going to wear the night before. This way the next morning they can just get themselves dressed without any argument about what they are wearing. They have learned that once the morning rolls around, you don't get to change your mind about what you are wearing.

3. Make snacks and lunches the night before. This includes beverages and any on-the-go snacks your family may need for after-school activities.

4. Check homework the night before. You don't want your child to forgo breakfast because they didn't do their homework, plus it will show them you care.

5. Pack bags (backpacks, purses, diaper bags, etc.) the night before. This includes any bags for extra activities, and any entertainment for siblings.

 

6. Choose and make/prep breakfast the night before. This can mean premaking pancake batter so you just have to cook it, making sure there is enough of something before you make promises to your kids, or as simple as setting out dishes for breakfast.

7. Keep an extra set of oral care items downstairs. This limits distractions for my kids. I can't tell you the number of times I send my kids upstairs to do something and they get distracted and start playing with something.

8. Keep an extra set of hair care items downstairs. Even though I choose a hair accessory for my daughter when I pick out her clothes the night before, sometimes they go missing or get broken in the morning. My son really enjoys breaking my daughter's headbands for some reason, so keeping some plain clips and headbands near by always comes in handy. Plus I usually have to comb my son's hair as he is walking out the door or he turns it into a mess.

9. Keep a laundry basket downstairs. I don't let my kids get dressed until after they eat and brush their teeth, just in case they make a mess. There is no point in doing something twice. This usually means they get dressed downstairs, so we keep an extra laundry basket downstairs to coral their dirty clothes. This also helps with activities, because as I am cleaning up dinner my daughter can get her dance outfit on and put her dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

10. Keep coats and backpacks at a kid friendly level.

11. Put a sticker that is cut in half in your toddler's shoes. This way they can put their shoes on the correct foot by themselves.

12. Create a spot for out the door items (keys, sunglasses, wallet, etc.). 

13. Don't forget to do  the applicable items for yourself too. Mornings will not be calm for anyone if mom and dad are running around and frantically looking for things.


Are there any things that you do that help getting out of the house easier?

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