Saving even a couple minutes’ time each morning can sometimes be the difference between getting your kids to school on time and being a few minutes late. At our house, we have come up with the perfect weekly hack that helps us do this, and I hope it helps you too!
When my oldest started kindergarten, I struggled each morning getting her to agree to wear the outfit that I had picked out for her. Mallory was developing her own opinions and sense of style. Of course, I was happy to see her mature and start to get involved in the daily decision-making tasks; however, some mornings it could prove to be a real struggle to get her to pick out an outfit and finish the rest of the necessary morning routine to be able to get to school on time.
I quickly figured out we needed to make a change so that we could start off the day better and eliminate unnecessary stress. I purchased a weekly clothing organizer, and every Sunday we would pick out outfits for the upcoming week. We are already implementing this same method with my youngest, who started pre-school, and it seems to be working for him, as well!
Involving your kids in this weekly process will help them to feel like they are making their own decisions. You can trick them a bit so that they are not wearing play clothes or a ‘You are Boo-tiful’ shirt in January that slipped your radar when putting Halloween shirts away.
Here are some little tricks:
Pick out two shirts and ask them which they would like to wear for Monday. They feel like they are picking out their shirt, when in reality you helped pick out two appropriate shirts.
Then grab two different shorts or pants that match the shirt, and have them pick out which they would like to wear.
Make sure to add a pair of socks and underwear to each day’s spot. If you have girls that like to wear accessories, add those as well.
Maybe your kids will have practice for extracurricular activities. Make sure to add their soccer uniform or dance outfit into that day’s cubby as well.
If your school is participating in a fun week at school, where the kids get to wear a hat one day or maybe bring a bag of treats, put the hat in that day’s cubby. Add a note in the day’s cubby to not forget a bag of treats, to help remind them to grab that for the day.
Anything to help each morning go smoothly helps!
If you have older kids that can read, or a closet that is not set up for a cubby organizer due to space, check out these free printable clothing organizers from Make Life Lovely. Hang each day’s outfits behind each tag and your kids are set for the week! And you will eliminate the stress of having to fight over what outfits your kids are going to wear each day.
School morning routines can be stressful enough without having to add in the task of arguing over clothing choices. One simple change of picking out the week’s outfits on Sunday can make school mornings so much more enjoyable.
I hope this weekly hack will help you each week!
-Callie
