Morning Madness: Tips on How to Tame the New School Year
I am in denial. The new school year has snuck up on my family with the stealth of a practiced ninja, and as I write this, part of my brain is making a mental list of possible places where school shoes could be hiding. How can a family own this many shoes? Where are all the left shoes? Who is stealing the left shoes? For Pete’s sake, my children each have one left foot and those feet need shoes!
There are a number of strikes against my family when it comes to the morning rush. We live quite a distance from our school, we are natural night owls that fight sleep like the aforementioned ninja, and I am not a naturally organized mother. We are a work-in-progress, and some years, that progress comes at a glacial pace. And yet, through the chaos and the tears, I have discovered a few wonderful tips that make our mornings less stressful and almost (dare I say) manageable. Have you ever watched a movie about firefighters? No, the first tip isn’t to set all your possessions ablaze, although that could work if I were writing a blog about organizing your home. In these movies, the firefighters get dressed in seconds because they have everything already laid out and ready. It’s amazing to watch. Such speed and purpose in their actions!
I know that someday very soon, I, too, will emerge from the morning routine unscathed. I will sit in my car and watch my loving and intelligent children walk forth, with full backpacks and fresh clarinet reeds. I will hold my head high as I see them stride out into the world in their clean uniforms, walking with labeled instrument cases and folders full of organized homework. I will see before me wave after wave of perfectly packed lunches overflowing with organic carrots and homemade avocado hummus. Yes, the day will come when I taste victory in this, the morning battle. On that day, I will look out with tears in my eyes and gratitude in my heart for every left shoe that ever gave its life in this, our great struggle.
That day will come, my friends. Just not today. Today I continue my hunt for two left shoes.
Maria Insalaca is a very busy wife, mother of four children, ages five to 16, and serial volunteer at her children’s school.
- Be the hero of your morning. Lay out everything the night before, and I mean everything! This means laying out the entire outfit with socks and shoes (especially the left shoe), the lunchbox , the musical instrument, and anything else your child needs. That way, you can grab everything as you head out the door. Designate a place where everything is grouped together for each child. Pick a place that makes sense to you and that works with the dynamics of your home. Place everything in that child’s spot every night. Come morning, when that siren (alarm) sounds, your little firefighters (children) can jump into those cool suspender pants and take on the world!
- Prepare for the morning fire drill. No firefighter has time to yell, “Hey guys, I just have to look for my pants and reading homework. I need a couple of minutes.” Lives are on the line, and that makes time precious. Review your calendar the night before. Make any adjustments to the next day’s schedule. Grab that book, pre-pack that lunch, find that shoe and do everything that you can to make the morning less hectic. Come Friday morning, when you realize you forgot to bake 24 gluten-free cupcakes for your son’s birthday celebration, you can feel good about finding that copy of To Kill A Mockingbird.
- Pack like a firefighter. A firetruck is an amazing vehicle. It is an organizational marvel. This truck carries everything a firefighter needs to save lives. It’s organized, efficient and most importantly, mobile. We live 40 minutes from school. While it’s no trek through the himalayas, those 40 minutes make it difficult to make return trips home for missing items. In fact, we have a rule in our house: if you forget it, it stays forgotten. Even with all the preparation and time management, sometimes things just get left behind. After getting past the frustration of another “oops,” we assess if the missing item is immediately necessary or something that can wait. Then I look around the van. I carry paper, pens, a full medical kit, socks, shin guards, and on any given day, several clothing items (plus several shoes). I also pack snacks and bottled waters, just in case someone becomes ravenous. While it’s no fire engine, I can usually find something to put out the morning fire. If you incorporate these tips into your daily routine, perhaps they will save you time and untold amounts of frustration.
I know that someday very soon, I, too, will emerge from the morning routine unscathed. I will sit in my car and watch my loving and intelligent children walk forth, with full backpacks and fresh clarinet reeds. I will hold my head high as I see them stride out into the world in their clean uniforms, walking with labeled instrument cases and folders full of organized homework. I will see before me wave after wave of perfectly packed lunches overflowing with organic carrots and homemade avocado hummus. Yes, the day will come when I taste victory in this, the morning battle. On that day, I will look out with tears in my eyes and gratitude in my heart for every left shoe that ever gave its life in this, our great struggle.
That day will come, my friends. Just not today. Today I continue my hunt for two left shoes.
Maria Insalaca is a very busy wife, mother of four children, ages five to 16, and serial volunteer at her children’s school.
