School is back in session and so is the morning hustle! Getting the kids up and ready can be hard enough so we are all for ways to make the days run smoothly. That is why we are sharing back to school tips and hacks to make your daily routine easier for everyone.
Let’s not forget about our amazing teachers who are the true superstars at the end of every day (seriously though). I love getting to know my children’s teachers and this teacher’s favorites things printable we’ve created makes it that much easier!
Wake Up First
I know this is hard, but it is so worth it. Even if you can wake up and at least have 1 cup of coffee, it’s worth it. But if you need to get yourself ready in addition to your kids then waking up at least an hour before may work best.
Breakfast
Plan out breakfasts if you can. That way there is no guessing when it comes time to get our kids a nice breakfast before sending them off to school.
Each Sunday we cook a big batch of protein waffles and store them in the freezer. Just pull them out and pop them in the microwave or toaster oven and breakfast is ready to go! Another easy idea would be!
Protein waffles/pancakes with fresh fruit
Eggs and sourdough
Whole fat greek yogurt, chia seeds, fresh fruit
Cottage cheese and fruit
Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds
Lunches
Pack lunches and waters the night before. We love the yumbox which is a leakproof bento-style lunch box. Pack it up the night before and store in the fridge until it’s time to go in the morning. Don’t forget to fill up the reusable water bottle and keep in the fridge the night before as well.
These sandwiches cutters are so fun and make eating a pb&J or a salami sandwich that much more exciting. Since we are prepping lunches the night before it only takes a couple of seconds!
Snacks
Prep snacks for school, pick up, and after school the night before or on Sundays.
Meal Planning
Plan and prep meals for the week on weekends. This saves time during busy school nights and ensures healthier eating.
Check out our FREE meal printable making it even easier for you!
Homework station
Organizing a spot dedicated to homework is key to being efficient after school/evenings. You don’t want to have everything spread out in different rooms so choose a place to store all items they will need and keep it organized and easy to access.
Family Calendar
A family calendar comes in handy if your kids are also involved in activities and sports! Having a family calendar can help ensure no last minutes surprises and allows you to plan and prep ahead
School Clothes
It may seem like a no brainer but picking out your kids outfits the night before (or even for the entire week on Sundays) can be a huge time saver in the mornings.
When you grab their pajamas just pick out tomorrow’s outfit including shoes and set them in a designated spot.
I choose to set them on my kitchen counter because that is where we tend to get dressed most days, but older kids may have a spot in their room for this! While your thinking about it, pick out your outfit too!
Delegate Responsibilities
Involve the whole family in daily chores. Assign age-appropriate tasks to your kids to lighten your load and teach them responsibility.
Use Technology Wisely
Utilize apps and reminders to stay organized. Limit screen time during homework and bedtime to ensure kids stay focused and get enough rest.
Set Realistic Expectations
Understand that things may not always go perfectly. Be flexible and adjust your plans as needed without stressing too much.
Make Time
Make time to connect together! That can include time outside, playtime, read alouds, games, etc. Between school, homework, sports, and activities, families are on the go a lot, but there is a lot of benefit from just having some time spent together as a family!
What other back to school tips or hacks would you add?