4 Easy Tricks to Make Your Mornings Run Smoothly

1.  Plan your week
Sundays are a great time to think about your week and prepare.  Look at the calendar and take some time to think about what needs to be done and how it needs to happen.

2.  Talk about your week
Talk to your kids and significant other early during the day on Sundays (not at 9pm as everyone is going to bed).  It's often helpful to talk about expectations and/or plans over dinner when you have every one's attention (as opposed to while the kids are watching t.v and might not be fully paying attention).  It may even be helpful to ask for them to repeat back to you what you said so that you are assured that they heard you.

3.  Get things ready
Think about what you can do the night before to make the morning easier.  Since I have a newborn, I like to take the formula container (which is already measured out and filled) and 2 bottles with water in them to bed with me so that I can easily prepare them at night.  I also fill my daughter's sippy cup with milk and put it on the bottom shelf so she can get it herself in the morning.  If you're a coffee drinker, make sure it is ready the night before so all you need to do is push a button in the morning.  Finally, make sure your dishes are done.  The last thing you want to do is come down to a sink full of dishes in the morning!

4.  Get up early
As hard as it is to drag yourself out of bed in the morning, allowing yourself enough time in the morning is the single most important thing you can do to get a good start to your day.  Waking up (or even working out) before your kids wake up can be a great way to get your thoughts organized and get some alone time before everyone wakes up.