Does rushing through the school gate with seconds to spare sound familiar to you? If so, you’ll already know the struggle too well. Despite our best intentions to prepare for the school run, our plans don’t always go as smoothly as we’d hoped. Simple changes to your daily routine can make a huge difference.
For example, switching the traditional manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush means you can leave your children to clean their teeth, safe in the knowledge that they’re doing it properly. This means that you can leave your child to clean their teeth and carry on prepping for the rest of the school run. Before you buy an electric toothbrush, be sure to read electric toothbrush reviews to find out, which are best for smaller hands – you can even find electric toothbrushes with timers to make sure your kids are definitely cleaning their teeth for the right amount of time!
Despite your kids never wanting to leave their bed and refusing to eat before 7am, the school run doesn’t have to be as antagonizing as it sounds or may feel. Find out how to do the perfect school run below:
Prepare as best you can the night before
For some, Sunday marks the end of the weekend, but for others, it marks the beginning of a brand-new week and new opportunities. Improving the daily school run will not only help you, it will also help your children ease into a week full of new challenges. When you are calm, they will be too. The morning rush is something we’ve all experienced, which is why doing something as simple as preparing your loved one’s lunch the night before or hanging their uniform in their wardrobe in advance is a great way to beat the morning rush.
Rise & Shine!
Setting your alarm earlier than your children is meant to get up will give you a little extra time to yourself to do the things you enjoy. Whether it’s checking your social media first thing in the morning, or if you want to take a shower with minimal disruptions, you can! Yes – you might lose a little sleep, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.
Keep calm and carry on
We realize how stressful both the morning and afternoon school run can be, but it is important to avoid losing your temper and stay in control as best you can. Why not find a new way to communicate or find ways to keep calm. If you need to, walk away (literally) or count backwards in your head before opening your mouth to respond.
If it’s your child’s first day of school, make sure you know how you’ll hold it together at the school doors. Waving off your child for the first time as they walk through the door can seem impossible. It’s totally normal to feel a little emotional, but you shouldn’t let it show. Be sure to put on a brave face for their benefit and keep the tears at bay the best you can.
Superfood Snacks
After a hard day’s work at school, your children are likely to feel a little tired and agitated by the time the school bell rings. You can sort out the hunger cravings by bringing energy boosting after school snacks to the gate with you. Although the odd packet of sweets every now and again doesn’t do much harm, it’s vital to avoid consuming processed sugary and salty foods as snacks every day. Despite this being what your children will want, pick grab-and-go suitable snacks such as bananas, dried fruit slices and small packets of nuts and seeds.
Leave the car at home
The start of a new school year is the perfect opportunity to switch up your travel habits. An active school run has multiple benefits for both, you and your family compared to driving to the school gate five days a week. Instead, you can walk or cycle to school. Not only is this an easy way of incorporating a daily activity in the whole family’s daily routine, it’s great for your health and can boost your well-being. It also helps your little ones let off some extra steam to ensure they are ready to learn when they arrive.
Did you know? People that opt to travel by car on a daily basis are subject to as much a 5x more pollution than those who cycle or walk instead. When there are fewer cards on the road, less pollution is generated. This makes room for cleaner air and helps ease congestion seen outside the school gate.