Ever since I returned to work I get asked by co-workers how hard (or easy) is it for us to be out the door in the mornings on time. I work full time and so does my husband, my answer “I don’t really know but it works”. And this is what I think it works for us:
1. Get the little one in bed at an adequate time. I know, I know it’s hard. But if your little one is the type that cooperates to go to bed in a routinely matter, make sure to take that into account to calculate when the approximate time he/she needs to wake up.
For instance, little M sleeps 10 hours at night so in order to get her awake by 7am I need her in bed not longer than 9pm. We have 30 min buffer, some times she wakes up at 7:20am and still is good for us. Other times she will wake up around 6:40am.
2. Pre-dress them as they go for bedtime. If it works for you this step will save you 15 minutes at least from your routine. As the routine sinks in this step might get better.
At first little M hated me changing her right after she just woke up. She was moody and very attached to her warmth clothes. I noticed by dressing her the night before (shirt at least) worked much better. She no longer felt the discomfort of my cold hands on her warm body or didn’t feel like a huge hassle avoiding a meltdown.
3. Determine responsibilities. This one might be the trickier of all. We both work at an office 30 mins away from home. Before baby we used to shower together (I know!). Get ready and leave the house almost together. Getting ready a family of 3 required changes and required names to the plan. Who would drop baby M to daycare? Who is going to have her ready to go? This had to be a synchronized activity.
Husband made the call to take her to day care. This has been good and consistent, the routine has been built. And once they both leave the house, I start to get ready… in peace.
I am very fortunate that we make our routine work and factors such as health, culture and environment play nice with our day to day operation. It’s not easy, and it seems to only get trickier and more exhausting as the family grows. How are your mornings? Is there any other tip worth to explore?
