Preparing for the Big Day Ahead

We are adjusting to becoming a family of 5. Before Tommy arrived, I thought that our nighttime routine was going to be the most affected. Turns out, he almost always naps after the girls eat dinner and it’s while it’s time for their bath and bedtime. The trickiest part of our day has become mornings. All three kids have been quite unpredictable with when they wake up: ranging from 5:00AM to 8:00AM. Sometimes the baby eats once and sometimes 3 times before we head out the door. Since we have to be out the door for preschool or an activity most mornings, these unpredictable mornings haven’t been easy. Also, I am not a morning person. My brain starts really working around 10am! My New Year’s resolution was to work hard to prepare more at night for the big day ahead. It’s been a few small changes that have made a big difference. I find now that I am more prepared for the day, it’s easier to be in a better mood in the morning, cheering on my little ones to have a great day too. Preparing the night before is really setting up our family to have a better tomorrow.

Here’s what we’ve been doing:

1. Setting out clothes: I set out the girls clothes, headbands, socks, etc. I bring them down and put them on the table. Then, whenever they wake up and come downstairs, they can get dressed on their own. This also helps eliminate the 20 outfits changes and fights over what to wear. They can help me pick something the night before if they like, but whatever they have set out on the table in the AM, is what they wear.

2. Backpacks and lunch boxes out: I do this the night before, because it’s my reminder to look through their bags at night to see if there are any papers I have to go through, forms to send back, artwork from the day before, etc. My girls only stay for lunch occasionally, so if I set out their lunch boxes, it’s a reminder for myself to make lunch in the morning.

3. Setting out breakfast and place settings. This has been the biggest help to our morning routine. The girls don’t always wake up at the same time, and often they wake up while I am trying to feed the baby. If everything is set and ready to go, it’s easy for me to help them quickly or even for them to help themselves/each other. This has also helped me eat breakfast! If it’s out and ready to go, I am much less likely to skip breakfast (something I was doing way too often). We all prefer cereal, so I set out a box of cereal, bowls, spoons and our little milk pitcher. This little cat pitcher has been a life saver. I leave it out the night before and fill it in the morning when I get up. It’s really hard for them to spill/ make a mess. They both put milk in their own cereal now, which is great!

I know it’s important to start the day with a nutritious breakfast full of protein and grains. Three of our favorites are Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats, Special K and Raisin Bran cereal. For more tips on starting your day right with Kellogg’s, visit Kelloggs.com. If you have your own tips or pictures to share, use #BigDay #Tomorrow on social media!

Here are a few tips to prepare for your big day ahead, from Dr. Travis Stork, star of the TV show “The Doctors”:

– Lay out your clothes the night before to help streamline your morning routine.

– Create a “must achieve” list for the morning to help yourself stop stressing about those tasks at night, leading to a more restful night’s sleep.

– Plan out what to have for breakfast, and nothing is easier than setting out a bowl and spoon for a quick, nutritious and tasty bowl of cereal in the morning.

– If you’re traveling or on-the-go, making sure to pack a nutritious snack (like a baggie of cereal) in your bag to help you avoid hitting the mid-morning lull and picking something unhealthy.

Ready for your #BigDay #Tomorrow ? Join in the Kellogg’s Twitter party Tuesday, February 10th at 12pm (ET). There will be a chance to win great prizes including a $50 Amazon gift card, branded prizes and Kellogg’s. Follow @kelloggsUS @TravisStorkMD and @TheMotherhood to participate.

What do you do to prepare for the big day ahead of you? Comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear your ideas!