How not to get 3 kids ready for school in the morning – in 40 steps
- Child 3 (the 1-year old) is awake. Lean over to my phone. Check the time. 6am.
- Child 3 gets louder. Check the time again. 6.10am. Nudge husband. No response. Get out of bed.
- Take child 3 downstairs, attempting to be quiet so as not to wake child 1 (age 7) or child 2 (age 3).
- Get downstairs. Discover child 1 already downstairs, watching Netflix. “How long have you been down here?!?” I ask. “Just since this programme started” she says.
- Turn off Netflix.
- Met by complaints, too early to think clearly, turn Netflix back on with strict instructions to turn off after particular programme finished.
- Wash a bottle. Fill it with milk. Give to child 3. Tackle him at this opportunity to lie him down and change his nappy which is otherwise impossible.
- Child 2 has woken up, comes downstairs bleary-eyed, joins child 1 on sofa to watch Netflix.
- Put kettle on. I need tea immediately.
- Wash another bottle for child 2, he still insists on a bottle, warm it up.
- Suggest child 1 goes upstairs to get dressed for school. No response. Instruct more loudly.
- Take child 2’s nappy off and attempt to locate cleanish pants, put those on child 2 (assuming found).
- Give child 2 bottle, he settles down to drink it quietly in front of Netflix. Silently thank Netflix for existing, while making mental note to reduce hours of TV exposure.
- Remind child 1 to get dressed – she heads upstairs.
- Wrestle child 3 into high chair, get breakfast for him.
- Sit down and start feeding child 3 breakfast.
- Child 1 comes down, dressed, though without socks on. Wanders off to play with “shopkins”.
- Offer child 1 and 2 breakfast.
- Met with no enthusiasm, make my cup of tea, get my own breakfast and start eating. I instinctively eat fast, for no other reason than knowing I should probably rush.
- Child 1 and 2 squabbling over something, attempt weakly to break it up, child 2 goes off sulking.
- Remind child 1 about socks and breakfast, get child 1 to table for breakfast and find socks.
- Retrieve child 2 from corner of laundry room, where he is hiding. Try to remember gentle parenting techniques. Discuss concerns. Decide how to move forward. Have a hug.
- Ask child 2 what he wants for breakfast. Prepare child 2’s chosen breakfast.
- By now child 3 wailing so sit back down and continue feeding him.
- Realise child 2 still needs clothes, grab these and set aside for dressing once breakfast finished.
- Child 2 eats a few mouthfuls then climbs down claiming to be finished.
- Take opportunity to put his T-shirt on, he keeps running off during this process, try to remain CALM.
- Child 3 finished and now wailing to get down so take him out and let him toddle off to play with toys.
- Find child 2 and assist him into his shorts.
- Get clothes for child 3, start putting those on.
- Called to assist in another altercation, somebody snatched something from someone…tell them to sort it themselves I am busy. Try to ignore shouting, eventually cave in and intervene.
- Realise I am not dressed. Finish dressing child 3. Run upstairs with him to throw on whatever I find that isn’t stained and brush my teeth.
- Come downstairs. Someone has tipped toy box over so floor covered in items (this may have occurred earlier). Try not to trip.
- It is somehow 8.20am now. Start to usher all children towards front door. Remind oldest about school bag. Can’t find school bag. Search for school bag.
- Put shoes on child 3, wrestle him into buggy.
- Child 2 can’t find his shoes, search for these, assist him in putting them on. Child 3 protests at being restrained in buggy
- Child 1 has found school bag, remembers needs some money for something at school. Grope around in my handbag for some change. Give to child 1.
- Child 3 reaching fever pitch. Grab child 2’s scooter and put it on front doorstep. Try to fasten child 2’s safety helmet on without clipping skin from his neck.
- Usher child 1 out the door, grab my handbag, phone and keys, make sure everybody’s outside, lock up.
- Walk to school, smile and wave politely at everyone and try not to look too wild-eyed. Breathe…
Do you find this process stressful? I would love to hear about it! Do leave me a comment below if you like.
Do you feel like it’s time to book a holiday? Read my blog post on going to a wonderful kid-friendly hotel in Cyprus, for our first family holiday abroad with 3 children.
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Oh my word I was stressed just reading that! I only have 2 children to get ready and out the door in the morning but I do still find myself rushing around, mornings aren’t very relaxing here either! x #TheList
Sorry to stress you! I’m rather terrified of mornings! Who invented them!? It’s like herding cats…eek… Though dare I say it is getting slightly easier now the youngest is just that bit older (age 2 and 3 months now) 🙂
Ha ha, I imagine this is going on in households everywhere. I find it hard enough getting two out the door on a morning so well done x
#TheListLinky
Thanks for commenting! That does make me feel better knowing I am not alone 🙂
Hahahaha this is classic! First day back at school tomorrow for us… It is more stressful in someways because we have to leave at 7am but in other ways that is better as we all have the same goal of getting out the door! When they had summer camp in the holidays we didn’t leave till 8am and it was a disaster!
Gosh that is early!! Hope it went well and sending you strength vibes for the coming term