Avoid Morning Chaos before School

Two weeks and counting before the new school year begins, at least for the kids in our area.  Here are a few tips that work for us to help make mornings run a little smoother:

• A few months ago I put in “day of the week” clothes organizers in my boys’ closets.  Once school starts, based on the weather forecast we will set out tentative outfits for the week on Sunday.  This seems to motivate my boys to get themselves dressed quicker and ensure they actually pick matching shirts and pants.  You can either make your own like I did by using a sweater organizer or you can find ones specifically made for children's closets with the days of the week already labeled. 

• To avoid morning chaos, I make sure all items that need to be brought back to school are in their backpacks the night before, including parent forms, homework, snacks, etc.  We then put the backpacks against the door the night before as well so there is no way we can walk out without them.  This has saved us many mornings of frustration and extra trips back up to school. 

• If lunch is being brought from home, I’ve cleared out one of the refrigerator bins to dedicate it for lunch snacks, juice pouches, etc.  So in the morning all the boys have to do is pick out their drink and snack and put it in their lunchbox while I make the sandwich.

• As soon as they get home from school, my boys are required to empty their backpacks and put everything in its spot.  Their lunchboxes are emptied and put in the cabinet, homework folders go in their "Homework" bins, and parent paperwork in the "Action" bin.  This helps eliminate all the papers constantly being shuffled from the table to the counter and vice versa. 

What tips can you share that seem to help your house hum a little better in the mornings?