No More A.M. Mayhem!

How to get your family up, dressed, fed,
and out the door on time
(By Rosemary Black)

The night before
Ask your child to choose a favorite small toy to take with her the next day. (Then when she's set to leave the house in the morning, give her the toy to play with in the car. It can go a long way toward helping a cranky toddler put on a happy face.)

Choose and lay out your child's outfit. Each night Lisa Samalonis of Sicklerville, New Jersey, sets out everything from socks to pants for Zachary, 6, and William, 3. "They know where everything is, and they can easily get dressed on their own in the morning," she says. This is especially helpful if your child's a fashion maven who is particular when it comes to dressing. Negotiating the night before saves precious minutes in the morning. Spend a few minutes talking about the next day's plans. "If my boys know what to expect, it gives them a sense of control," says Samalonis. "It also helps jog our memory. For instance, if Zachary has library the next day at school, we know to find his book and put it in his bag. If he has gym, he needs sweatpants and sneakers."

Put a small chalkboard in the kitchen, and each night, after your child's in bed, write a little note. It could be an invitation to go out for pizza over the weekend or a simple love message — something she can look forward to reading after she gets up in the morning.

Rosemary Black has her family's a.m. routine down to 30 minutes flat.

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