Easy ways to beat the weekday morning madness

The night before is your best friend

A calm morning usually starts the night before. Getting a few jobs ticked off in the evening can save you loads of time (and stress) the next day.

• Lay out school uniforms and work outfits the night before. It saves time, and you’ll avoid the last-minute panic when you realise something’s still in the wash.
• Have school bags and work essentials ready to go by the door. This way all you’ll have to add is water bottles and lunchboxes in the morning.
• Prep the lunches – even if you don’t make the whole thing, prepping sandwiches, chopping fruit or portioning snacks into containers will save precious minutes in the morning.
• Fill and refrigerate water bottles overnight so they’re grab-and-go ready in the morning.
• Put items such as library books or permission slips straight in the school bag – don’t leave them on the counter or dining table. Sign it / grab it and straight into the school bag it goes!
• Make sure school laptops, tablets or phones are charged and packed. No one needs to be scrambling for chargers while half out the door.
• Prepare for simple breakfasts – have a few go-to options that are quick, healthy and fuss-free. Overnight oats or breakfast muffins pulled out of the freezer can be a lifesaver (and a change from breakfast cereals). Or try a breakfast smoothie.
• Check the weather – knowing if it’s going to pour, or be 35 °C and sunny, can help you prep the right clothes, hats or umbrellas.

Once morning arrives

A few simple habits can help everyone ease into the day without the chaos.

• Wake up a little earlier – even just 10–15 minutes can give you breathing room. Time for a cuppa, a quick stretch, or just a few quiet moments before the madness begins.
• Designate a spot near the door for bags, shoes, hats and keys. It helps to keep the morning hunt for lost items to a minimum.
• Use checklists or charts – visual reminders can help kids stay on track and take some responsibility for their own routine (plus, ticking things off is oddly satisfying).
• Make sure showers don’t go too long by putting on a song and switching off the shower when it finishes. Time saving tips in the bathroom
• Try a ‘done by’ time instead of a ‘leave by’ time – rather than aiming to leave by 8 am, aim to be completely ready by 7:50. It builds in a little buffer for when things go sideways (as they sometimes do).
• Pop your car keys in the same spot every night – so simple but so easy to forget. Whether it’s a hook, a bowl or a drawer, choose one place and always put them there. One less thing to track down under pressure.