Health & Parenting

Getting the Kids to School Without a Struggle

Morning routine tips

Still, some age-old, get-out-the-door tips still apply -- especially the “plan ahead” one.

A school-day morning actually starts the night before. Being able to predict and understand what’s coming up helps children feel in control. “Lay out clothes, plan what you’re having for breakfast,”  Hodson says. “Talk through anything that has been a struggle in the past.”

And remember that whatever way you handle the morning routine, it’s setting a model for your children. “At the core of all of this is: What our kids see us doing with them is what they’re going to do with their own lives -- we’re modeling,” says Hodson. “Parents must be willing to reflect on their behavior and adapt. That’s the key to finding a respectful way to parent.”