Morning Routine Reset: Tips to Cut the Chaos

Back‑to‑school mornings don’t have to feel like a battlefield. A little planning (and a few small changes) can make mornings calmer, smoother, and less stressful for the whole family. Here are some simple tips to reset your morning routine this school year.

🧺 Prep the Night Before

The less you leave for the morning, the better.

• Lay out clothes (shoes included!)

• Pack lunches and snacks

• Sign permission slips and put backpacks by the door

• Charge devices overnight

⏱ Build in Buffer Time

Plan to be ready 10–15 minutes earlier than you think you need. It gives space for those inevitable last‑minute surprises like missing shoes or a “Mom, I forgot…”

📋 Use a Visual Checklist

Kids thrive on knowing what’s expected.

• Create a simple chart with boxes to check off:

  • Get dressed

  • Eat breakfast

  • Brush teeth

  • Pack backpack

• For younger kids, use pictures instead of words.

🍳 Keep Breakfast Simple

You don’t need a gourmet meal. Think:

• Yogurt with fruit

• Overnight oats

• Whole‑grain toast with peanut butter

• Smoothies you can prep the night before

📵 Limit Morning Screen Time

TV or tablets can easily derail the schedule. Try keeping screens off until everything else is finished — or save them for after school.

💛 Start with Connection

A calm start sets the tone for the day.

• Share a positive affirmation: “You’re going to do great today.”

• Give a hug, high‑five, or quick joke to lighten the mood.

🌟 FGO's Back to School HQ

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. A few small tweaks can turn stressful mornings into smoother starts. Try one or two changes at a time, and celebrate the wins as you go.

👉 Find more back‑to‑school tips and local school supply lists in our FGO Back‑to‑School HQ: https://www.lubbockfamily.org/blog/categories/back-to-school