I have read on many occasions either as a full post or included in a post about the difficulty of the school run. This is something that never ceases to amaze me. I will explain why.
I first of all have never been late in getting my four year old twin girls to school on time. What do I think is the reason for this? Well, it’s simple, it’s organisation. I have always been the sort of person that prepares in advance. It has always been the way I have approached my job as a painter and decorator. Everyday on a any job I am doing there is a certain point that I want to get to so it’s ready to start where I want to start the next day. There is a reason behind this methodical thinking. If I didn’t think this way then the job wouldn’t be finished on schedule.
I have applied the same system to the school run! Boring you may think and in truth it probably is, but the positive thing is that I’m never late and I don’t forget anything. Here is how I do it!
I always make the twins lunch the night before and get part of their snacks ready. This saves loads of time first thing in the morning.
The twins always wake up anything from 6.30 am which gives me approximately two hours to arrive at school on time.
Once the twins are awake they tend to sit and watch the tv for a while. I always get them them a drink and wait about 15 minutes before offering them breakfast and usually they decide instantly what they want.
While they’re eating their breakfast I am getting everything ready in the background which is putting their sandwich boxes in their rucksacks and asking them what they want for their mid morning break and putting it in a separate bags.
It is now about 8am and we have approximately 30 minutes to leave the house and arrive at the school on time. Every 10 minutes or so I do something, it starts with getting the twins in their uniform followed by shoes etc.
Around 8.30am I ask the girls to use the toilet and when they have finished, because we all know the toughest job before leaving is getting their coats on. Simple deal for them they can have five more minutes of tv as long they have their coats on and be ready to go when I say.
I would imagine most of you think I am a bit strict, but amazingly I’m not, but what I do like is order and being organised. When I take the girls to school they are never late and we have everything we need.
I am available for hire at very competitive rates,to turn your school run into a hassle free experience. Haha!
How does your school run work? Would love to know.
37 Comments
Jeff Wood
January 27, 2017 at 12:10 am
Sounds like your school routine is very similar to ours. Being organised is key to a great morning.
Stephanie
January 27, 2017 at 12:49 am
I’m not yet to the school run years, but I’m very punctual and organized, so I imagine I’ll be a lot like you. I may be begrudgingly getting up that early in the morning, but I’ll be on time! #ThatFridayLinky
Dadsense
January 27, 2017 at 7:31 am
I love it. We aren’t at the school run just yet, but I have a feeling I’ll be the same. Even now when my wife take our son to swimming I’ve got a bag all packed for them the night before so she can just wake up, grab the gear, bottles out of the fridge and off they go!
Preparation makes all the difference!
Thanks for hosting #thatfridaylinky
Helen
January 27, 2017 at 8:05 am
I’m a long way off the school run just yet but already organisation is paramount! I like how by giving extra tv time they get to manage their own time a bit, good idea. #ThatFridayLinky
Martin
January 27, 2017 at 8:17 am
Getting one 2 year old ready for Nursery can be trouble enough! We have sort of a routine that normally invovled me saying 20 times find your shoes! Hopefully this will work better as time goes on…great post as ever
Dad
January 27, 2017 at 8:46 am
Children need boundaries and routine, and it seems like you’ve got yours sorted. The twins obviously respond to that and it can only be good for them as they become older and more independent.
I’ll be keeping some of these ideas in the back pocket for when my little one starts school in a few years.
#ThatFridayLinky
Gary @dadof2athome
January 27, 2017 at 8:47 am
The mayhem tends to be at the school gates for me! As I have my baby boy with me when I drop off my daughter I have to get there in good time for a decent parking spot as carrying the car seat and trying to control my pre-schooler can be hard work. This may sound sad but sometimes I even leave the breakfast bowls out the night before, and even mugs with tea bags inside ready for when we wake up! Probably saves little if any time in the grand scheme but in my head I think I’m well in track! #ThatFridayLinky
Helen
January 27, 2017 at 9:18 am
My daughter isn’t old enough to go to school yet, so our morning routine is a lot more simple. She doesn’t need breakfast before nursery or a packed lunch, so it’s a matter of getting her dressed, giving her a glass of water, brushing her teeth and getting her bag together for the day 🙂 #ThatFridayLinky
Helen x
http://www.treasureeverymoment.co.uk/
Sinead (shinnersandthebrood.com)
January 27, 2017 at 9:27 am
Totally agree! Getting as much done the night before is key to tear-free, shout-free, breakdown-free, meltdown-free mornings in this house! 🙂 I HATE making lunches the night before though! #ThatFridayLinky
Becki Parsons
January 27, 2017 at 9:48 am
We have yet to reach school run age, but X starts nursery 2 days a week in April so I suppose I’ll start to get a taste of it! Thankfully his nursery runs a “school day” session from 9 til 3.30 so I’m going to get plenty of practice in before the real thing! I like the way you break down their tasks and give them a TV treat for doing them – that sounds like a great plan! #thatfridaylinky
five little doves
January 27, 2017 at 10:09 am
Our school run is absolute mayhem, quite literally just a chaotic free for all with me screeching that we are going to be late every two minutes!! I really need to get more organised but I just lack motivation in the morning and even when I have good intentions and plan the night before, I can never foresee the cereal spillage or the dirty nappy just as we are leaving the house! #thatfridaylinky
Laura Beresford
January 27, 2017 at 11:02 am
Organised chaos at our house: no tv, lots of playing, then sudden action, race to get out of the door #ThatFridayLinky
Sarah – mud cakes and wine
January 27, 2017 at 11:12 am
Your doing well. I have three 6, 5 and 1 but we make in time but they are always up early and talking to the mums as they get older it’s the getting them out of bed that seems to be the fun part. I am not looking forward to that #thatfridaylinky
Rach
January 27, 2017 at 11:14 am
The school run in my house, can either be a straightforward exercise with plenty of time on our hands or a total panicked situation. It’s one extreme to the other!
Great post as always Nige!
#thatfridaylinky
Sarah Howe @runjumpscrap
January 27, 2017 at 12:51 pm
We currently only have nursery runs and can only have an hour to get out of the house. Like you though, bag is ready the night before and we just do it! Never been late. It will be harder when the grem goes full time, Piglet is at nursery and I’m back at work but shall see! You have a well oiled system it sounds xx Thanks for hosting x
kristin mccarthy
January 27, 2017 at 2:20 pm
Well we have four girls nine and under including twins in the terrible twos- we are never late- but we are never relaxed and organized either.
#thatfridaylinky
Becky Clark
January 27, 2017 at 3:26 pm
It definitely sounds like organisation is key to a successful school run. So that gives me around 3 years to sort my life out, plenty of time! #thatfridaylinky
kerry
January 27, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Great post! I think the age of the children makes a big difference, I had a newborn 2 days old when my little boy started school and we have only just got into a routine! I do uniform and lunch box the night before, then he wakes at 7am to have breakfast and watch a bit of tele, 7.45 get dressed and put shoes on, now in the next 45 mins before we set off, a massive shit storm will hit our house and all hell will break loose and before I know it I’m dragging them both out the door whilst I through a massive tantrum about been late!! Even though I never am/havnt been late yet! fun times!!! yeayyy
#thatfridaylinky
Mommyandmadness
January 27, 2017 at 4:40 pm
I’ll have to remember this when my daughter starts school! I’m naturally disorganised and forgetful! That doesn’t bode well! #thatfridaylinky
Mary
January 27, 2017 at 5:39 pm
I don’t think it’s strict at all, I think it’s great organization! 🙂 I imagine that by doing this, you’re likely teaching the girls to have time management skills when they get older!
#ThatFridayLinky
ablondeandababy
January 27, 2017 at 7:54 pm
Ahh I need to take a leaf out of your book! I always think it will be quicker for us to get ready than it is and end up around 10minutes late to everything. I should really learn! #ThatFridayLinky
Helen Gandy
January 27, 2017 at 8:37 pm
I try to be organised as I can, sometimes it’s a bit like herding jelly (as my husband likes to day) it can be hard lol. Thanks for hosting! #ThatFridayLinky
Peachy and her Mommy
January 27, 2017 at 9:32 pm
We’re not at school age yet so I don’t know how it will look for us. I think for most people, the problem is simply that they don’t leave themselves enough time. If the past is an indicator of the future, our school runs will be chaotic. #ThatFridayLinky
Hannah Brown
January 27, 2017 at 9:40 pm
Me and josh are ready and waiting at half 8 and anna is ridiculously late hahaha!!!
Lisa | Pass The Prosecco Please
January 27, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Organisation is awesome, my little one is two but even now I have a set schedule for getting out and my friends always comment that I am always early, they even had to arrive half hour early to a surprise lunch they did for me because I’m early! #ThatFridayLinky 🙂
Dave
January 27, 2017 at 10:01 pm
Have not got to brave the school run for a good 3 years yet but it takes us at least 2 hours to get out of the house to go anywhere! I admire your routine Nige but can imagine our school run as being complete chaos!
Heather Keet
January 28, 2017 at 4:47 am
I am utterly baffled by the number of parents who are frantic every morning. My mom and dad both worked and sure, there were a few times that we were frantic and running late. It was a rare occasion. I think you’re totally correct that organization is what makes the school run less chaotic. #ThatFridayLinky
Zoe
January 28, 2017 at 11:04 am
We’ve not hit the school run stage with the little people yet (the teen gets herself sorted!) I imagine it will be organised but probably stressful for the first couple of goes! We shall see! I’m not a morning person! #thatfridaylinky
Daddy Poppins
January 28, 2017 at 1:43 pm
I try to be organised but sometimes things are forgotten.
Plus no one in my house likes to go bed. And coincidentally no one likes getting up in the morning. This can make things trickier.
jeremy@thirstydaddy
January 28, 2017 at 9:49 pm
we’ve got it times down to the minute now. If she takes longer than 20 min to eat breakfast, she’s going hungry! #thatfridaylinky
Mrs Mummy Harris
January 29, 2017 at 1:52 pm
we’re not at the school run stage yet and even when we get there it looks like it wont be me or hubby doing it. Ben’s nan lives in the next town to us and given mine and hubby’s work hours it seems we’re all in agreement that he’ll go to nursery there and when it comes to school he’ll go there too so he can stay with his friends and as I dont get home til gone 7pm his nan can bring him back to her’s as Hubby doesnt get back til gone 4.30 also!
Its brilliant in a way as its a worry I dont have to think of but I do feel like its another part of parenting im missing out on because we need to work.
If my goal of getting the blog to get monetised happens, perhaps I’ll get a school run even if its once a week??
#thatfridaylinky
Lianne
January 29, 2017 at 2:56 pm
I’m a bit like you, all about routine with me! 🙂 My eldest is 12 so sorts himself out and gets himself off to school nowadays but once my youngest is at school I’ll be the same as you 🙂 #thatfridaylinky
Jade – Raw Childhood
January 29, 2017 at 8:58 pm
When I have something to do the next day and we have to be up and out I am very much like you. I will get the boys clothes out and ready to put on so I don’t have to worry about that in the morning, I will get breakfast semi organised because I always know what they want to eat and everything is bang on time in the morning. I won’t be doing the school run as they grow up as I will be homeschooling so it’s not something I have to worry about 🙂 #thatfridaylinky
Emily Bresin
January 29, 2017 at 9:25 pm
My daughter doesn’t go to school yet. However, for the last 5 years I have worked as a nanny for a family with 4 children (including twin boys!) and have always been responsible for the school run. Honestly, I have never had any issues getting the kids to or from school, even when I had to go to and from 2 different schools. Organization is certainly key here. Just like you, I pack their lunches the afternoon before. Then while they are eating, I pack snacks and backpacks. Plus, it gets easier as they get older and can be more independent getting ready in the morning. #ThatFridayLinky
Lucy Grace
January 29, 2017 at 11:42 pm
Order and organisation sounds great to me, not strict at all. The kids know where they are at and you get to school on time. Perfect 🙂 #thatfridaylinky
Amie
January 30, 2017 at 2:20 pm
We aren’t quite at the school stage yet but when we are I hope to be totally organised and always on time. I usually have everything ready like bottles etc the day before at the minute anyway so hopefully it will all transition pretty smoothly! #ThatFridayLinky
Jaki
January 31, 2017 at 4:02 pm
My God! I need to take some tips from you! My proper school runs start in september and I seriously need a rocket before then. I’m always running around like a mad thing before leaving the house. #thatfridaylinky