DIY Network

Managing Morning Routines Jessica Sabat shares some tips for managing your morning routine. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-114

Guest Jessica Sabat joins host Stephanie Lydecker and shares tips to help you make the most of your morning routines.

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	Jessica shares some simple ways to help organize your morning routines for a better start to the day.
	Figure A
	Figure B

Managing Morning Routines

• A basket for each child filled with their own toiletries is a great idea (figure A). This way they know exactly where their things are and it prevents the kids from arguing about who has what, etc. They can carry their basket to the bathroom in the mornings to use their products and then they can carry it back to the room to comb their hair, etc. Make sure each child has a mirror in their bedroom. This helps free up the bathroom so the next person can use it.

• Timers are great to use to time each child's time in the shower, etc. They come in many styles (figure B). These are also great because it can help preserve water and helps ensure that the water hot for the next person to shower.

• The easiest way to organize your family schedule is to use an 8-1/2" x 11" computer generated calendar. At the start of the school year sit with a red pen and mark "no school" on all of the days off. Use a different color pen to note sports schedules and another color for each of the other extra curricular activities. A calendar keeps everyone on track.

• On the calendar, note especially when there is a "no practice" or "last dance class." These will serve as reminders that it may be time to adapt childcare arrangements or sign up for the next group of lessons. You can also use a different color of ink for each child and that helps the child spot their activities.

• The key is to prepare things the night before--make and pack lunch, pack school bags, gather sports equipment and musical instruments, round up special shoe, i.e. tap shoes or cleats and pack lunch money.

• Each night look at the next day's schedule and take a couple of minutes getting supplies together and reminding the kids of the after school routine. Now is the time to write teacher notes, remind older kids to take their keys and pocket money.

• Keep a good sized notepad handy so you always have paper for writing notes to teachers about changes in who is picking up your child or whether or not they are taking the bus that afternoon, etc.

GUESTS :

Jessica Sabat
Professional Organizer
Website: www.optimumorganizing.com