Weekday mornings can be full of a lot to do and only a little time to do. The hustle and bustle of waking up, getting ready for the day, and getting out the door on time can be very stressful. Morning time can be challenging if you have children and are also trying to help prepare for the day. So, the question is, how do you relieve that morning rush stress? Never fear! We are here to help. Here are five ways to make your mornings easier:

1. Nighttime Preparation

Preparing the night before is one of the best ways to make your mornings easier. Evening preparation includes laying out everyone’s clothes, packing lunches, and setting expectations for the morning. Make it fun for your children by letting them help. Allow them to choose their clothes for school, let them assist you in making their lunch, and take the time to go over the expectations for the next day. Doing these things will leave little room for surprises and bring a nice flow to the hustle of getting out the door. It’s also essential to make sure that everyone has a proper bedtime! Sleeping at a good time will help eliminate overly tired kids and parents when the alarm goes off.

1. Wake Up Earlier

Speaking of getting to bed quickly, waking up earlier is another day to set your morning routine up for success. We’re not saying you need to wake up at 4 AM to have a successful morning. Just an extra 30 minutes can be enough to create more margin in your morning routine. Whether it’s spare time to wake yourself up, drink your coffee in peace, or get ready before tackling the kiddos, you’ll be so grateful you gave yourself some extra time on the front end of your day.

1. Simpler Breakfasts

While a three-course breakfast may seem like the best option to fuel your family before a long day of work and school, it’s not the most practical thing for a busy morning. Now, giving yourself and your children a PopTart every morning may not be the most ideal situation, either. So, how do you find balance? Believe it or not, there are healthy and easy breakfast options. They’re quick enough to speed up your morning routine but healthy enough to give you confidence in what you’re feeding your family!

1. Slow Down

It may seem contradictory, but sometimes, you need to slow down to speed up. This idea is so accurate for morning routines for most families. Sometimes, you can be moving so quickly in the morning that it makes things more stressful for yourself and your children. Taking just 5 minutes in the morning, as a family, to take a deep breath and pray could be the single thing that changes the trajectory of your day. Asking God to relieve the stress for yourself and to be with your kids throughout their day will change everything for your family. Your children will see that even in the hustle and bustle of the morning, you’re never too busy to slow down and ask God for help.