Getting out of the house on time can feel like one of the most difficult tasks in the world when you’ve got kids. There are so many hurdles that you need to leap over before you get out of the door, which is why anybody can benefit from an amazing morning routine. Here are some things that can really make life easier.
Decide on Low-Maintenance Hairstyles
If you need to get out of the door a mere 30 minutes after waking up, you have got to find low-maintenance hairstyles that make life easier. If you have time, you can try braids that look amazing quickly. But also if you need to wash your hair, you can cut the time in half with shampoo for dry hair.
Time Your Shower
If you need to shower in the morning to actually feel awake, you need to get into the habit of timing yourself. Set an alarm so you can get in and out in the space of a few minutes, so if you know you are running over, you can make up for this in other areas. Another little trick to speed up your shower is to have a cold shower. It’s not ideal, but you wake up instantly and there is an abundance of health benefits as well! Another alternative is to have one shower every other day. Some people might not like the idea of this, but you can still freshen up with some cold water and wash the essentials. While it’s something that has become more popular in recent years among celebrities if you do shower every day you are stripping your body of its naturally occurring oils.
Lay Out Your Clothes the Night Before
The battle of winning the morning always begins the night before. If you wake up and decide what you want to wear that morning, you need to limit your stress by putting everything out the night before. You can also get your lunch ready and actually put everything ready by the door. Because when you have kids and it’s a massive operation to get out on time, laying everything in a logical order means that not a second is wasted. But if you’ve got children who like to pick everything out of their bags, it’s best to keep everything out of reach so you know everything is ready and you’re good to go.
Have a List
Sometimes having a forgetful minute means that we end up getting more stressed. When we’re trying to get ready in record time there is no second to waste, so putting a sign somewhere listing the things you normally forget is one of the best approaches. For example, if you never remember where your keys are, make a note of it. Keep the list on the fridge or somewhere visible so you can check what you need before you head out.
Choose Quick Breakfasts
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it’s going to give you enough energy to get over the morning commute, but if you find yourself skipping the meal because it’s too much of a headache, the fact is that there are ways for you to grab something while you are on the go that is still healthy. You can make overnight oats that you can eat while you are walking around doing the last little tasks before you head out the door. There are also other things that you could try, such as egg cups that you can make in one batch and reheat in the microwave. You can also make your own energy bites by combining seeds, nuts, peanut butter, and a little something sweet. If you prepare all of these foods the night before and your kids like them, this is going to make life even easier.
Actually Sleep!
This is probably the most important factor when it comes to a morning routine. Yes, your children may not have the best sleep in the world, but you need to ensure that you are able to get good quality sleep whenever you can. As tempting as it is to spend a couple of hours watching something on Netflix, if this gets in the way of your sleep, it’s not going to make you a more effective parent during the day. And on those mornings when you really can’t get out of bed, the alarm clock needs to be completely out of your reach! If you are ready to win the battle of getting ready, it’s time to try some of these.