How to Prepare Your Children for the Next Day

The morning rush can get crazy for children. Take some time the night before to minimize the insanity. Your children will thank you and so will your nerves.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Ask your children to choose their outfits for tomorrow. Check the weather and let them know what the conditions will be and let them (within reason) select their clothes or practice gear. Have them put the outfit or practice gear on their desk, chest of drawers or near their backpack.
2. Prepare their backpacks, preschool bags or sports gear. Make sure any required homework, share item, permission slips, library books or sports gear is already loaded into their bag to bring to school or practice tomorrow.
3. Review tomorrow with them. As part of the dinner conversation, or as they're getting ready for bed, talk about what happens tomorrow. If you know it's a regular day for PE, make sure they've chosen sneakers to wear to school. If it's a day for "Show and Tell," make sure they've got their items in their bag.
4. Decide what they'll have for lunch or snacks. Whether you prepare it tonight or first thing tomorrow, know what you're preparing and make sure that all the necessary items are in the house. There's nothing more annoying than discovering you're out of bread as you're rushing to get the kids to the bus.