Maintain a strict bedtime routine
You will never create a peaceful school morning routine and stress-free school run if your kids aren’t up in time and well-rested. In order to help facilitate this, maintain a strict bedtime routine with your children. Set firm times where each child must be in bed and lights off. If your child is up at erratic hours, their sleep cycle will suffer, meaning they wake up late and cranky. But with a consistent routine with regular healthy sleep, getting up in time for school will be that much easier.
Speaking to us about how key a strict bedtime routine is for children, the benefits it can have, and some tips for making it happen, mum Kellie from the blog Prize Warriors says:
“Most people's lives are, at least to a loose degree, based on routines. We all live on different schedules, but everybody needs a fairly regular sleep pattern to remain healthy, it's human nature. If this type of routine is established in early childhood, then the child will have an easier transition into adult life. Kid's routines need not be fancy, they just need to be a series of familiar steps repeated daily before bed. This could be as simple as brushing teeth, having a hug and turning off lights.
“For young children, equally important to the routine itself, is having a set bedtime. Getting the right amount of sleep is essential to a child's growth and development. It also has a tremendous impact on their behaviour, for two reasons. Firstly, routine and structure help to instil discipline in children. I'm not suggesting parents should act like a drill sergeant, but I guarantee that knowing when their bedtime is will help teach them to follow rules more easily. Secondly, we all know that children can turn into little monsters when they're tired. Not allowing them to enter 'the witching hour' by ensuring a regular and early bedtime routine is a sure-fire way to a better-behaved child.”
Further still, if all involved know that X pm is bedtime, and it is the same every night, complaints will be limited, and your own evening will be far more relaxing – something much needed for your wellbeing come morning time.