10 Tips for a Smooth Morning Getting Out

Natural/Dim lights – To wake kids up only open windows slightly or use lamps. Dim lights in the kitchen or common area. Avoid overhead lights for the first 30 minutes of waking up. For yourself or children, consider an alarm clock that mimics the sun coming up.

Calming music. – Make a morning playlist (even have it set to play automatically!) I like instrumental Disney music, film scores, classical piano, or worship music. Anything that puts you in a good, calm mood.

A prepared environment. – Montessori teachings say that children are particularly intrigued by a “prepared environment” which means they are delighted to see something that’s been set out for them. You can play to this interest by (the night before) setting out one small thing at the table to greet them in the morning. It could be a coloring book, a small puzzle, stickers, a new easy craft, or tracing paper. If you’re consistent about it they’ll be excited to see what’s there when they come down and therefore be more eager to get ready in the morning. Also it keeps them occupied and happy while you pack lunches/make breakfast. I keep a drawer of things in my kitchen and swap them out!

For adults, I recommend doing one thing to help your Future You self in the morning whether it’s packing your lunch or preparing breakfast the night before, or even just pre making your coffee and setting it to brew on a timer!

Get breakfast dishes from the dishwasher. – If you run the dishwasher every night and empty it in the morning, consider just using the dishes from the dishwasher first for breakfast. No need to touch them twice by putting them in the cupboard then getting dishes out for breakfast!

Set automatic daily timer. – Another Montessori principle is for the teacher/guide to say as little as possible. This way, when you do say something, it carries more weight. Also when the morning is busy, it’s hard to keep track of what time it is! Instead use your home device, like the Google Nest Mini, to set an automatic weekday timer for the time you need to start heading to the door. I have a “8:05 time to wrap up breakfast and get shoes on” time and an 8:15, time to walk out the door timer. Just say Hey Google, set a daily weekday timer for _____”

Keep a toothbrush downstairs. – Once you or your kids are downstairs or in the common area, try to avoid going backwards. Keep a toothbrush downstairs to brush their teeth after breakfast or a hairbrush or anything they go back for.

Socks near shoes and all the same. – Keep socks in a basket right near the shoes. And if you really want to shave time off your life, have only one type of sock. That way, you don’t have to match socks when doing laundry, and theres no missing socks. They’re just all loose in a basket and you grab two and go! Consider donating/purging your current socks and replacing them with a whole new set of the same ones.

Reward kids for being early. – Instead of the focus on not being late, focus on being early! My kids know if they have their shoes on and they’re ready before the second bell they get to do fun things before it rings! Sometimes they do a puzzle, sometimes they swing outside for five minutes or ask me to read them a book. They get more excited about the freedom of being early than me pressuring them about the consequences of being late.

Consider a car basket. – If you’re packing your children upm but you are not the one taking them to their destination (school, daycare, etc), consider a basket at the foot of their carseat. Make that the in/out basket so you can drop exactly what needs to go to school with them (water bottle, school projects, permission folder, snacks). My son takes his shoes off every single car ride anyways so his shoes go in the car basket for my husband to grab when they get to school.

Create an at the door moment. – Create a 5 second tradition at the door (when the second bell rings!) to set everyone up for a more centered and peaceful day. It could be a quick intention, a hug, a kiss with a partner/spouse, or a prayer or if you leave alone a quick deep breath. You always have 5 more seconds, even with these tips!