Morning Routine Tips for a Smooth Back-to-School Season

This fall, I promised myself I would make mornings less stressful and rushed for my kids (and honestly, for me too!). Back-to-school season always sneaks up, and I’ve learned that a little planning ahead makes a big difference. Here are some things that have been working for us:

1. Wake Up Before the Kids (When Possible)

I’ll be the first to admit this isn’t always realistic sometimes we need every extra minute of sleep we can get. But on the mornings I do wake up even 15–20 minutes before the kids, I feel more grounded and ready. Having that quiet time makes it easier to set the tone for the whole day.

2. Semi-Prep Breakfasts for the Week

One of my favorite hacks is to mentally plan out breakfasts for the week. Nothing fancy, just a quick rotation like:

• Eggs + toast

• Yogurt with granola

• Cut-up fruit (prepped the night before)

• Oatmeal with toppings

• Pancakes (we love the pancake puffs from Whole Foods in the frozen section, life saver!)

This way I don’t spend my mornings staring into the fridge wondering what to make.

3. Outfit Organization = Game Changer

Outfit chaos used to be our biggest time waster. Now I plan their outfits ahead of time and keep everything ready to go in the kitchen/living room area. It cuts out the last-minute scrambling. If you want to see how I organize outfits, check out my reel here.

4. Walk to School When Possible

Not every day allows for it, but when we can, walking to school has been such a positive start. The kids get fresh air, I get movement, and the bonus is that morning sunlight. Getting sunlight first thing has been shown to help regulate energy, focus, and sleep later on so it’s a win all around.

By making a few small shifts, our mornings feel less like a rush and more like a rhythm. And while no morning is perfect (hello, spilled milk and forgotten homework), having a plan has definitely brought more peace to the start of our days.