Getting two kids out the door every morning probably counts as my daily workout. There is so much to get ready for those little people, on top of everything I need to do! Here are a few things I started implementing, and they make our mornings a breeze!
Create a space for each person by the door.
Our Winter Storage Area
You might have a wall tree, or a place to hang coats, or maybe you are tight on space. Find baskets that your kids (if age appropriate) can reach to put their things in. Cube storage works great for their shoes, coats, hats, etc. Even if you have a little space, you can nail up some cute coat hooks. My son knows his coat and hat go in a basket, and his shoes go in a separate basket=toddler independence. #teachermomwin
Keep this area free from clutter. If it isn’t needed every day, then put it somewhere else. I was horrible at this. I would leave purses and coats from the past season out and wonder why that area looked so messy ALL the time. Only leave what you need to take with you–lunch bag, work bag, kids’ bags or diaper bags, coats, and shoes for this season you wear often. All other shoes should be put away (if you have the space).
Create a space in each child’s room for clothes each day. This literally saves me. My method isn’t the cutest, but it works for the space I have. And my 2-year old LOVES it. All you need is 1-2 sets of the wide Sterilite drawers. {I’m too cheap to buy another one, so I lay out 3 on Sunday, and 2 more on Wednesday.}
Lay out your outfits then put one in each drawer. Both my kids outfits fit in one drawer right now
Get everything ready the night before. Most people know this, but it is sometimes easier said than done. This includes lunches, clothes laid out, any meal planning or thawing of food for tomorrow nights dinner. Even when you are tired–if you do it at night you won’t regret it in the morning!
No more power struggles. To help diminish the power struggles in the morning, ask, “Honey, would you like to do this yourself, or do you need help?” LIFE CHANGER. Seriously.
Meal Plan. This might not fit the category of getting “out” of the door, but it sure helps when we come “in” the door. This was always so hard for me. But with two kids, I literally have to sit down and plan our week out for food. Before doing this, we would make 2+ trips to the grocery store a week, spending $50 a pop…which was not good for the budget. Planning our meals simplifies our grocery list and number of visits.
To make it simple, list out ALL your family favorites in a notebook, or a Google Doc. Add any Pinterest meals, browse a cookbook, or just add any new recipes you want to try. (I always label the recipe with a (P) behind it if it’s on my Pinterest board, or label what cookbook you found it in). Talk with your family and ask them for requests for the week.
In your planner, or on a whiteboard, write out each nights’ meal and compare them to your schedule and the time you can spend cooking. Check your kitchen to see if you need groceries, and add them to your list. Hint: Walmart grocery pick-up rocks our world! SO easy!
Some people also make a list of their 10 go-to recipes and hang them on the fridge.
These ideas are what work for our family…right now. I am sure they will change!
I would love to know if these work for you. OR…Share below what your favorite tip for getting out the door in the morning is–we all need all the help we can get!
xoxo-
Brittany
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