Establishing a Before School Routine

Problem:  I have chosen to educate my children in the public school system that does not have a flexible start time.  As much as my 5 year wishes.

Obviously, I spend a great deal of time doing my hair, and plenty of time to pray and commune with God.  I am never saying “HURRY THE HECK UP” or anything like that?  I mean, are you?

Ok, I am.  I probably say it 30 times every morning.

Princess P is not a morning person {insert photo of her with her insane morning hair, which I am not including to salvage a small amount of a mom-blogger child’s dignity}.  She’s just plain ugly when she wakes up (both in hair and in spirit) and we have to be to the bus stop just a bit after 7 am {seriously}.

Anyway, I thought I’d give you an idea of how I am working my mornings.  I was kind of going loosey-goosey and it wasn’t doing my kids any favors, so I have started to set a pattern of what goes on:

I am usually up before 6.  Sometimes I’m doing odd jobs around the house or working out.  I do whatever my sleepless brain has decided to do until about 6:15.  Then I read scriptures

6:30 — kids alarms go off and I go turn on their lights.  I’m trying to be extra kind to P in the morning.  I’ve tried scratching her back and saying what a great day it’s going to be.  I’m not especially sure this is helping.

After that I do my 10 minute tidy.  I find that i’m in a better mood if the house is somewhat put together.  Plus, it gives me something to do so that she can be independent and get going on her own (which she doesn’t, but I try).

6:40’ish, back upstairs to BEG princess P to get GOING.  In an ideal world, at this point she is dressed and I comb her hair and ask her nicely to brush her teeth (my kids are HORRIBLE teeth brushers and aren’t afraid to lie to me about it — any one else have this problem?).  She actually has a great, laminated before school checklist, complete with pictures and words…. {sigh} — it’s a work in progress.

After that I run down to make lunches.  I pre-pare some sandwiches a few days at a time.  Since I use homemade bread it’s not quite as gross as it sounds.  My boys have always made their own lunches, but now that I’m making sandwiches for Princess P I am willing to make a few more.  I am super thoughtful like that.  I pray that Princess P will be downstairs by 6:55 so she can eat her breakfast.  Mr Middle is fairly good about dragging himself down on his own, thank goodness now that he’s in 5th grade.

None of my kids are great eaters in the morning (neither am I).  I try to make sure they get something decent.  Often it’s toast and some fruit.  I also try to throw a probiotic drink into the mix (those tiny ones from Costco) every few days to help their immune/digestion/happines — my kids sure love those.

Then at 7:10 it’s out the door, and onto the bus.

That’s how our morning runs.  It used to run very differently when I had 3 kids I had to get in the car to shuttle to school every morning.  I’ve stopped getting ready before they leave.  Now that I’m home alone I’d rather do some housework before I beautify.

I’m interested in knowing your routine.  If you have kids that aren’t morning people, do you have hints?  Should I just throw in the towel and homeschool?