| It is 6:00 AM...you have already hit the snooze button | | | | your homework and all of your books in your |
| twice and are dreading the morning marathon hat lies | | | | bookbag. Find your jacket and shoes. Put all three by |
| in front of you. Making sure everyone is dressed and | | | | the front door. Set aside your clothes for tomorrow |
| ready for school is enough of a process, especially | | | | so you don't waste time trying to figure out what to |
| when everyone is bleary-eyed (and oh-so cheery) at | | | | wear. See if getting ready TONIGHT will make a |
| the very beginning of the day. Soon the chaos | | | | difference for you." |
| begins... "Mom, where are my shoes?" "I can't find my | | | | As simple -and ALMOST obvious- as that suggest |
| homework!" "Did you sign my field trip form?" | | | | was, it made a world of difference for me. Mornings |
| Everyone is scurrying around trying to get ready | | | | were not as bad. I was not forgetting nearly as |
| while you are sweating over being late...again. | | | | many things at home. I felt better during the day |
| Halfway to school, one of your children realizes that | | | | because I was not worried about whether or not I |
| they have P.E. today, but they wore sandals instead | | | | would have gym shoes in time for gym class. |
| of gym shoes. So, after racing back home for the | | | | That simple step created such an improvement for |
| right shoes, you barely manage to drop everyone off | | | | me that I instantly realized the benefits of being |
| on time and dash into work. Fifteen minutes later, | | | | organized. It was then that I began searching for |
| you get a call... "Mom, I forgot my lunch money." | | | | ways to get organized...and haven't stopped yet! |
| Morning Mayhem creates problems that last all day | | | | **In Conclusion** |
| long...making students distracted with worry, teachers | | | | I am not suggesting that you will turn your children |
| frustrated, and parents incredibly frustrated and | | | | into Organizing Freaks like me, but I am suggesting |
| exhausted. This commotion sets a tone for the rest | | | | that this simple process might make mornings a bit |
| of the day that is very hard to shake! | | | | less stressful for your family, and your days run a |
| My dad used to be a victim of Morning Mayhem | | | | little more smoothly. |
| because I was one of those kids who was always | | | | I have created a FREE "Night Before School Tool" for |
| calling home for forgotten assignments, library books, | | | | parents to customize and download from my |
| lunches, etc. I do not recall how often (daily, | | | | website. These checklists can be posted by your |
| weekly?) but it was often enough to prompt Mrs. | | | | door and serve as a reminder for the items |
| Turner, my third grade teacher, to pull me in the | | | | neededeach day. The elementary version includes |
| hallway one afternoon and share a "secret" with me. | | | | pictures and is organized by the days of the week to |
| That secret was simple, yet so profound. It cured | | | | accommodate weekly classes like P.E., library, etc. |
| me (mostly) of my forgetful ways and was the | | | | There is a version for older children, too. To access |
| single event that turned me into an Organizing Freak. | | | | the toolkit, go to and scroll down to find the "Night |
| (Nick-name courtesy of my brothers.) | | | | Before School Tool." |
| **Action Plan** | | | | So, tonight, take a few minutes to create a checklist |
| Now, Mrs. Turner's secret did not qualify her to be a | | | | with each child, then have them gather their things |
| rocket scientist, but it did make a huge difference for | | | | BEFORE they go to bed. 6:00 a.m. may not seem |
| me! She simply suggested that I take a few minutes | | | | quite as brutal tomorrow. |
| to get ready for school BEFORE I went to bed. "Put | | | | |