Add a morning routine checklist to your morning routine.
There are two points in the day that set the tone for how a family runs. The first is the morning routine. If mornings are stressed, rushed and chaotic it affects everyone’s mood for the rest of the day. If the morning runs smoothly, includes some connection, and even a little fun everyone can start their day with a smile.
The second super important part of the day is bedtime. If yours needs help you can see our life-changing bedtime routine here. PS. A smooth bedtime helps with the morning routine too!
We started off this school year with a few missteps in our morning. I quickly realized that it was going to take a little planning (along with some trial and error) to make mornings fun (and functional) again.
As always I pulled out my favorite parenting technique… conflict resolution. We had a problem and I needed help with the solution! Bring on the kids. I placed my giant whiteboard on the table and asked the kids to help me make a list of everything that has to be done before school.
We wrote a time (or estimated time) next to every task. Next, we calculated how much time there is between waking up and heading out the door.
Guess what?!?! For Big M there was plenty of time in the morning, but not for our little sleepy head. If she wakes up at seven and then spends some time actually getting her eyes to open, there isn’t enough time for her to accomplish everything. No wonder we were running around like crazy!
Here’s where the magic happens. (This is the reason I adore conflict resolution.) Laid out in front of them is a problem, they can clearly see it. They understand it and now they can solve it.
I saw an answer pretty quickly but patiently waited to see what they came up with. It wasn’t long before they had made their own individual morning (and afternoon) routines. The bonus? They realized on their own that there wouldn’t be time for screen time on school days.
I could have done this entire process by myself. But now they are invested. They made the rules, they made the routine. They are far more likely to follow it… because it is their plan! Will there be hiccups, of course, but we will figure them out together. (Check out the conflict resolution post for step-by-step instructions.)
Morning Routine Checklists for Kids
Once everything was figured out it was time for the fun part. Creating a cute morning routine checklist.
I rounded up a few printable morning routine checklists for kids. You’re sure to find one that will fit your family (or at least inspire you to create your own).
Morning Routine Checklists for Kids
- Morning To Do (includes ART!) from Raining Hot Coupons.
- Are You Ready Checklist from Carrie this Home.
- To Do and Done Morning Chart from What Moms Love.
Morning Routine Template
This list of morning routine templates are designed for you to fill in yourself. (You might want to add a good morning joke to the checklist!)
- Work, Play, Learn Chart from Cloud Mom
- Morning Routine Fillable Checklist from Hey Donna.
- Rainbow Morning Routine Checklist Template from Create Simple.
Morning Routine Chart with Pictures
These visual morning routine charts will be great for all kids but will really help with preschool and toddler morning routines.
- Magnetic Morning Cards from I Can Teach my Child.
- Good Morning Flash Cards from Living Locurto.
- Stress-Free Morning Cards from Live Simply.
- Super Simple Magnetic List from The Trip Clip Blog
- Visual Step by Step Routine from Over the Big Moon.
Morning Routine Checklist for Students
School morning routine can be extra busy, these checklists are specifically designed with school in mind.
- School Morning Checklist from Kids Activities Blog.
- Dry Erase Morning Checklist from The Search for Imperfection.
- Are you Ready for School List from Girl in the Garage.
- Don’t forget the morning kiss from Children Inspire Design.
- Remember Hugs Checklist from The Chirping Moms.
Do you already have a working morning routine or do you need to sit down and create one?
Definitely have to do this with my two. Possible hurricane activity.
Thank you so much for this. I have been having so much trouble getting my 5 year old to get to school in the morning on time and in bed at night. I plan to implement asap.