CL-October 2024 - 23

MEMBER FYI
Up and At It
Making school mornings
more manageable
story courtesy of Family Features
G
etting a family up and out the
door before the school bell rings
is no small task. Sometimes,
it can even seem impossible, especially
when encountering unexpected events
like a wardrobe mishap or even an
overfl owing toilet.
Th is year, make mornings run
more smoothly with these tips from
the experts at American Standard,
who know all about the best tools for
operating a successful household.
WORK AHEAD, STARTING
YOUR MORNING BEFORE BED
You can lay the foundation for a
successful morning before the new
day even arrives. Spend time planning
for the day ahead before tucking little
ones in for the night. Choose outfi ts,
track down missing shoes, and verify
homework is done and in backpacks,
before they turn in for the night. Taking
time to troubleshoot in the evening can
save precious minutes in the morning.
STICK TO A STANDARD
WAKE-UP ROUTINE
Getting kids out of bed when the
alarm rings is only half the battle; getting
them in motion is the next step. Help
your little ones build eff ective habits
to start preparing for the day while
they're still shaking away the lingering
sleepiness. Lay out a sequence of events
they'll do every morning, such as visiting
the bathroom, brushing teeth and hair,
getting dressed, making the bed and
eating a balanced breakfast. Encouraging
these habits builds independence and
self-esteem while helping your mornings
move faster.
co-opliving.com
CUT BACK ON MESSY MOMENTS
Supervising every moment of your
child's get-ready routine is virtually
impossible, but outfi tting your fl oors
and surfaces with the right equipment
can make those moments out of sight
less concerning. For example, schoolaged
kids might expect privacy in the
bathroom, but they're not immune to a
bit of mischief and keeping things tidy is
rarely their top priority. Make sure your
bathroom has plenty of easily cleanable
surfaces and washable materials.
PLAN TIME TO TALK
Oſt en, if kids are dragging their feet
in the morning, they dread something
about the day ahead. It could be a test
or a confl ict with a peer or something
else entirely. Look for signs of concern
and off er an open environment where
kids can share their worries with you
even when time is tight. Talking about
concerns aſt er school is a smart way to
tackle worries when they're fresh, but
reinforcing those conversations in the
morning can send kids out the door
more confi dently.
EMBRACE SIMPLICITY
AND PROVIDE NUTRITION
Trying to cram too much into the
morning can set you up for struggles.
Avoid piling on too many morning
chores and aim for basic breakfasts that
provide the necessary fuel to start the
day without extra fuss. A well-rounded
breakfast with grains, protein and some
fresh fruit is a perfect way to start the
day. Th at might be a protein-packed
cereal and a banana, or a frozen breakfast
burrito and cup of grapes.
*
October 2024 * Cooperative Living * 21
PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK
http://www.co-opliving.com
CL-October 2024

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