If you're a parent, you know the challenges of getting your child up and out the door for school on time. They seem to be moving at a snail's pace in front of the mirror and over breakfast, and every morning looks like a battle won only after hand-to-hand combat has occurred. It seems like they're never ready in time for their ride to school, and you often find yourself racing against the clock (or your car's alarm) in an attempt to make it on time.

Trying to move quickly when you've got kids in tow can be a challenge. Besides, when everyone is running around frantically before leaving the house, it's only going to cause more stress. Here are seven tips to help you get everyone out the door on time without any drama:

  • Plan Ahead

The best way to make sure you're able to get out the door on time is to plan ahead. Know what time you need to leave and work backward from there, factoring in the commuting time for your child, as well as any prepping you may need to do before you leave. To keep things on track, set a daily alarm as a reminder of when it's time for your kids to get ready.

  • Keep Hair and Nails Neat

Not only is this just an easy way to make sure you're looking your best, but it'll also help your kids move quickly through their grooming routine. If they don't have to worry about fixing their hair or nails, they can spend that time getting dressed and ready for the day.

  • Lay Out Clothes the Night Before

Kids are notorious for wanting to choose their own clothes each morning, which can often lead to last-minute wardrobe changes and delays in getting dressed. Combat this by laying out their clothes for the next day the night before. This will help them get ready faster in the morning, and you'll avoid any potential arguments over what they're going to wear.

  • Create a Morning Routine

Establishing a morning routine for your kids will help speed up the process each day. It can include things like eating breakfast, putting on their clothes and packing their bags (with only the essentials like homework, pencils, etc.). Once you've established this routine with your kids, stick to it at all costs.

  • Get Kids Involved

If you're the only one responsible for getting your kid out the door in time, then you can expect to always be running behind. Get your kids involved by giving them their own checklist for the morning, so they can see what needs to get done and when. By creating a sense of responsibility with them, it'll help take some of that burden off of you and help get them up and moving in the morning.

  • Make Breakfast Easy

Struggling to feed your kids' breakfast before school? Try making breakfast sandwiches or smoothies ahead of time that they can just grab on their way out the door in the morning. This is especially helpful if you're trying to avoid a morning rush, so they can eat while you're getting dressed and ready.

  • Start a Routine

Make things easier on everyone by establishing a routine for your kids in the morning. Go through the same order of operations each day, starting with brushing their teeth, eating breakfast, packing backpacks, and leaving for school. Having a set routine will help your kids know what to expect and when, so you can avoid any potential arguments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Have Kids

While you're trying to get your kids out the door in time in the morning, there are a few mistakes you'll want to avoid along the way. These include:

Neglecting Homework

Homework can quickly increase stress levels when you have kids, especially since it needs to be completed before going outside and playing after school. By neglecting homework, you'll only increase their stress levels and make it harder for them to focus on their work. But you can always count on Essay Reviewer to deliver the help you need.

Forgetting Backpack Essentials

When your kids get to school, they need to have everything they need in their backpacks. Make sure not to forget things like pencils, notebooks, and other essentials that will help them through the day. And, if you're worried that they won't remember their backpacks, then come up with a checklist for them each morning, so they know what to include.

Not Packing Lunch

As tempting as it can be to let your kids eat at school every day, it gets expensive really quickly and isn't always the healthiest option. Try packing their lunch instead, so they can have a variety of foods to choose from, and you can save some money in the process.

Allowing Electronics in the Morning

While it's tempting to let kids play on their phones or watch TV in the morning before school, it's not always the best idea. Allowing electronics in the morning can often lead to kids being unfocused and unproductive when they should be getting ready for school.

Skipping Breakfast

It's no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so don't skip it! By eating a nutritious breakfast before school, your kids will have more energy and be better equipped to focus on class.

Waiting to Get Ready Until the Last Minute

This is a mistake that a lot of parents make, and it's one that can easily be avoided. Start getting ready for school at least an hour before you need to leave, so you don't have to rush around in the morning. Sometimes they even neglect the deadlines on the assignments, so you can get some help from the best essay writing service at the last minute.

Final Thoughts 

By taking advantage of these tips, you'll help ensure that your kids are getting to school on time every day. Remember, the morning rush can be extremely stressful for everyone involved, so do everything you can to take some of that burden off. Also, be sure to avoid these six mistakes that can make the morning rush even worse. With a bit of organization and planning, you can get your kids out the door in time for school every single day.