Pack Backpacks: Gather all necessary school supplies, textbooks, notebooks, and completed homework assignments and pack them into backpacks.
Prepare Lunches: Make or assemble lunches for the next day and place them in lunch boxes or containers. Include healthy snacks and drinks as needed.
Choose Outfits: Select and lay out clothes for the next day, including any accessories and shoes. This eliminates decision-making in the morning and ensures everyone is dressed appropriately.
Check the Weather: Review the weather forecast for the next day and adjust clothing choices accordingly, such as adding layers or bringing an umbrella.
Prep Breakfast: Set out breakfast items or prepare breakfast foods in advance, such as overnight oats, smoothie ingredients, or pre-cut fruit.
Review Schedule: Review the next day's schedule, including any appointments, extracurricular activities, or special events, and ensure everyone is aware of their plans.
Charge Electronics: Charge electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones overnight to ensure they are fully charged for the next day.
Pack Gym Bags: If applicable, pack gym bags with workout clothes, sneakers, towels, and any other necessary gear for physical education or sports activities.
Sign Forms or Permissions Slips: Review and sign any forms, permission slips, or documents required for school and place them in backpacks.
Set Alarms: Set alarms or reminders for waking up and completing any necessary tasks in the morning, such as packing lunches or finishing homework.
Tidy Up: Encourage everyone to tidy up their living space before bedtime, including putting away toys, clearing off desks, and organizing backpacks.
Establish Bedtime Routine: Start bedtime routines early enough to ensure everyone gets enough sleep. This may include bathing, reading, or other calming activities.
Plan Transportation: Confirm transportation arrangements for getting to school, whether it's walking, biking, taking the bus, or carpooling.
Relax and Unwind: Encourage relaxation and downtime in the evening to help everyone wind down before bed. This may include reading, listening to music, or practicing relaxation techniques.
By completing these tasks the night before, you can help ensure a smoother and more organized start to the school day for you and your family. Don't worry, this doesn't only fall on you. Get the kids to prepare for their day. It teaches them to think ahead logistically, learn to be organized, help their next morning to be smoother, and take ownership of themselves. Will they need you? Yes. You can keep sending them back to their "list" of what they need and help them think things through. I don't want to nag, so I have them create their own list to keep and then when they say they are "ready", we go through the checklist together. Usually there is something they forgot, but it is a way for them to own it and for me to not be saying, "do this/do that". We allow one hour in the morning from wake-up to out-the-door. That is ample time for everything to get done, including a chore that helps the house run smoother. Right now we have got it down to a science and I can go into my office and write this, whilst listening to them get ready. For me, it is all about creating independent people. We're getting there.
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