Strategies for Speeding Up Your Mornings

iVillage: Strategies for Speeding Up Your Mornings

No one ever told you that motherhood was synonymous with chronic lateness. But from packing the depleted diaper bag to getting your dawdlers motivated, there are plenty of reasons you probably feel like you haven't gotten anywhere on time since your baby was born. Let's face it: Kids dilly-dally, moms nag -- and no one gets out the door any faster. To the rescue: solid strategies from organization experts and real moms like you for getting your kids (and yourself) out the door.

Prep the Night Before
"The key to getting out the door fast in the mornings is to do as much as you can to prepare the night before," says organization expert Jodie Watson, founder and president of Supreme Organization. That means laying out your own and your kids' clothing; making sure backpacks have everything each child needs for the following day -- like completed homework, sports uniforms, show-and-tell items and signed permission slips -- and making lunches ahead of time. Another night-before idea: Check the weather forecast, so there's ample time to search for that "other" mitten or rain boot.

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Bribe Them with ...

Mom Jennifer W. of Watertown, MA, says her 8-year-old daughter "is the walking definition of 'not a morning person,' but when she hears there's hot chocolate on the table, she moves a lot faster." Mom Emily P. of Kensington, MD, tells her kids they can eat breakfast by the gas fireplace on cold winter mornings. In other words, entice your late-risers with a special treat that will motivate them to get out of bed!

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Make It a Compet...

For young kids with a competitive streak, this can work wonders. In our house, the first one down (or up) the stairs is the "superhero." Playing "Who Can Do it First?" can help speed up everything from getting your tot dressed to getting him to the car -- and help you get wherever you need to be on time.

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Get Them to Bed ...

Want a good morning? Start with a good night's sleep. "I find that getting my daughter to bed early enough -- even when it seems insanely early -- makes a big difference," says Hilo, HI, mom Leslie L. "We have to get up at 5:15 a.m., so I put a lot of effort into making sure dinner and homework are done and she's in bed by 7:00 p.m."

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Give Them Warnin...

Many kids, especially little ones, have a hard time stopping what they'e doing and quickly changing course. To help them stay on schedule, Watson recommends giving your kids 10-minute, 5-minute, and 2-minute departure warnings. "Set a timer -- there are even talking ones on the market that will countdown the minutes for them," she says. It's a trick that Olathe, KS, dad David P. uses on his son. "He doesn't know time, but it puts the idea in his head that we're doing something else shortly, and he'll have to stop whatever it is that he's doing now."

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Make Breakfast P...

Chef Jennifer Carden, author of "The Toddler Café," says the key to helping your kids focus in class is feeding them protein and liquids in the morning. How do you do this fast and easily? Serve up healthy, portable breakfast burritos and smoothies. Scramble eggs, deli turkey and avocado or thawed spinach together and wrap in a whole-wheat tortilla (you can make it the night before and reheat in the morning). Or whip up a smoothie with frozen fruit, protein powder and milk. Another quick option: Dress up thick, creamy Greek yogurt with fruit, granola and a drizzle of honey. Yum!

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