Disclaimer: This is not a guide to make your mornings with toddlers totally stress free (if that exists, please let me know!). There are, however, some really practical tips to ease the pain.
Lay Out Clothes the Night Before
Choosing an outfit for a toddler can turn into a battle of wills. Toddlers often have strong opinions about what they want to wear, which can lead to tears and tantrums when you can’t find their favourite top!
To avoid morning meltdowns, involve your toddler in choosing their clothes the night before. Give them just 2-3 options and let them pick their outfit and lay it out together. This not only gives them a sense of control but also saves precious minutes in the morning.
I’ve heard of some parents even having their toddler go to bed in the clothes for the next day. If that works for you, amazing! We went through a phase of struggling to get dressed when it was World Book Day, so he went to nursery in blue pyjamas as Mr Bump. Looked awful compared to the other kids costumes, bless him, but at least he was in some kind of costume!
Lay out clothes for yourself as well. Just because you’re an adult, doesn’t mean you won’t have a little tantrum when you can’t find your favourite top. I know it’s not just me!
This should also include setting out shoes, coats, sun hats, umbrellas etc as needed.
Prepare breakfast and lunch ahead of time
Prep ahead of time as much as you can. Plan what everyone in the house is going to eat for the week, and include your toddler in the decisions if suitable. That way every day you know what you need to prepare.
For breakfast, choose simple, healthy options that they can eat independently, allowing you to focus on getting yourself ready. (Please always keep an eye on them eating though!). I like to eat my breakfast or do my make up at the dining table during breakfast time.
Creating a balanced lunch, that can stay fresh in a lunch box AND that your fussy toddler will actually eat can be a brain melt! You don’t want to be putting this together in the morning rush. Keep it simple and interesting by having some themed days “Taco Tuesdays” or “Fruity Fridays”. Don’t shy away from repeating meals, if it makes it easier and your toddler will eat it then it’s a win-win solution.
For help with planning meals, check out my Meal Planner Notion template here.
Pack bags the night before
Have a “go bag” for your toddler that’s always ready to go with everything they need for the day – snacks, a change of clothes, a comfort item, and any other necessary supplies. Keep this bag always packed and ready to go.
A few tips for this:
- Be sure to empty the bag of dirty clothes, notes, snack wrappers etc. as soon as you get home.
- Re-pack the back as much as possible, as soon as possible.
- Leave the bag by the front door, in your car or pram.
- Have a checklist for what needs to go in the bag. Naturally this will change with the seasons and your toddlers needs. Make it visual so they can help too and keep it by the front door with the bag.
- Do the same for yourself!
Create and communicate a morning routine
Children thrive on routine. It provides them with a sense of security and helps them understand what to expect throughout their day. It also helps the adults. The STRESS I would have getting my toddler to nursery and myself to work when we used to wing it. I’d forget my lunch, forget his spare pants, I’ll admit that a couple of times I even forgot to brush his teeth.
Start by figuring out what time you need to leave the house, and work back from there. What are the essential things you need to get done in the morning put them in a rough order/ timeline. Don’t make it too complicated, too long or too ambitious. Simple, easy and effective is the aim of the game here. Anything that can be done the night before, do the night before.
Also be sure to allow for plenty of time for any task. Don’t assume your toddler will get dressed in two minutes!
Communicate the routine
You need to then communicate that routine to everyone in your household, including your toddler. Getting everyone out the door on time is a team effort. Designate roles to everyone who can help – your partner, an elder sibling, even your toddler.
For your toddler, you could create a visual schedule. Use pictures to represent each step – having breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed. Hang it where they can see it and encourage them to check off each task as they complete it.
Do a practise run of the routine on a relaxed day. This is especially useful to do when you are about to return to work/ start day care or a new school for example. This way you can tweak anything if needed.
A visual timer could also help to keep everyone on track. Consistency is key, so try to stick to the same wake-up time every day, even on weekends. Over time, your toddler will learn what to expect and will be more cooperative during the morning hustle.
Make a Morning Basket
If your toddler is an early riser and you have to keep them entertained whilst getting yourself ready, independent play is key. If you want to reduce screen time, you could instead make a morning basket. A morning basket is simply a basket of hand-picked toys/activities for your toddler. Some ideas might be:
- Colouring pages
- Books
- Stickers
- Play-doh
- Blocks
- Tonie box
Choose 3-4 activities you can trust your toddler will play safely with in the room you want them to be in. Rotate what’s inside the basket to keep it interesting and engaging, or have a set basket for each day of the week. Remove/ tidy up other toys and distractions to make this effective.
Leave post-it notes for yourself
Put a post-it note on the fridge to remind yourself to take out the lunch you lovingly prepared the night before. Or one on your front door to remember that gift for your co-worker.
Use positive reinforcement and have fun
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool when it comes to encouraging good behaviour. If there is a particular part of the morning routine your toddler always struggles with, you could create a reward chart to track achievements like putting their shoes on without fuss. Praise their efforts; a simple “I’m so proud of you!” can brighten their day.
Try and make getting dressed fun:
- Who can get dressed quicker? Race your toddlers/ older kids/ other parent for example.
- Pretend you don’t know where their limbs go and make a game of it.
- Dress like someone else. My son LOVES matching his Dad. “Do you want to wear a blue top and black trousers just like Daddy?” “Yea!” GREAT.
- Use a silly voice/ persona.
Remember that your toddler picks up on your emotions, so staying calm and having fun can help them feel more secure and relaxed. Allow space for feelings – both yours and your toddler’s. If things don’t go as planned, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s all part of the process.
Plan for “What Ifs”
No matter how well you prepare, things can still go awry. Whether it’s a spilled juice, a sibling squabble or a sudden change in plans, being ready for the unexpected can save you from last-minute chaos.
Have a list of quick solutions for common problems. For example, if your toddler refuses to wear the outfit you laid out, have a backup outfit ready. Keep a few emergency snacks in your Go Bag for unexpected hanger pangs. Keep spare clothes and toys in your car. A little foresight can ease your anxiety and help you handle any curveballs that come your way.
Conclusion
You absolutely can survive the morning routine with a toddler. With a little planning, creativity, and a positive mindset, you can turn busy mornings into a joyful routine (is that pushing it?). Embrace the chaos, laugh at the little mishaps and cherish the time together.
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