Make School Mornings More Manageable

(Family Features) Getting a family up and out the door before the school bell rings is no small task. Sometimes it can even seem impossible, especially when you encounter unexpected events like a wardrobe mishap or overflowing toilet. Make mornings run more smoothly this school year with these tips from the experts at American Standard, who know all about the best tools to operate a successful household. Work ahead, starting your morning before bed. You can lay the foundation for a successful morning before the new day even arrives. Spend time planning for the day ahead before tucking little ones in for the night. Choose outfits, track down missing shoes and verify homework is done and in backpacks before they turn in for the night. Taking time to troubleshoot in the evening can save precious minutes in the morning. Stick to a standard wake-up routine. Getting kids out of bed when the alarm rings is only half the battle; getting them in motion is the next step. Help your little ones build effective habits so they can start preparing for the day while they’re still shaking away the lingering sleepiness. Lay out a sequence of events they’ll do every morning, such as visiting the bathroom, brushing teeth and hair, getting dressed, making the bed and eating a balanced breakfast. Encouraging these habits builds independence and self-esteem while helping your mornings move faster. Cut back on messy moments. It’s virtually impossible to supervise every moment of your child’s get-ready routine, but having a home outfitted with the right equipment can make those moments out of sight less concerning. For example, school-aged kids might expect privacy in the bathroom, but they’re not immune to a little mischief and keeping things tidy is rarely their top priority. Consider American Standard’s innovative Champion Toilet that provides the perfect solution to some possibly messy situations. With the industry’s largest trap-way, you can expect a cleaner, more effective flush, ensuring dependable performance every time. It’s virtually impossible to clog – in testing, it even handled flushing a bucket of golf balls – providing the confidence you need that it can withstand your child’s messiest moments. Plus, its power-wash rim cleans the bowl with every flush and the patented EverClean stain-fighting surface inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. Plan time to talk. Often, if kids are dragging their feet in the morning, it’s because they’re dreading something about the day ahead. It could be a test or a conflict with a peer, or it might be something else entirely. Look for signs of concerns and offer an open environment where kids can share their worries with you even when time is tight. Talking about concerns after school is a smart way to tackle worries when they’re fresh, but reinforcing those conversations in the morning can send kids out the door more confidently. Embrace simplicity and provide nutrition. Trying to cram too much into the morning can set you up for struggles. Avoid piling on too many morning chores and aim for basic breakfasts that provide the necessary fuel to start the day without extra fuss. A well-rounded breakfast with grains, protein and some fresh fruit makes for a perfect way to start the day. That might be a protein-packed cereal and a banana or maybe a frozen breakfast burrito and cup of grapes. Explore more products that make your mornings more manageable at americanstandard-us.com.   Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (father and son brushing teeth)