There’s no denying that the school run can be a challenge.

After all, you have to: 

• Wake up and get yourself ready for the day

• Drag your kids out of bed 

• Prepare breakfast

• Ensure your kids are dressed and ready

• Remind them to pack their homework

• Get everyone in the car and go

Photo by Anton Luzhkovsky on Unsplash

Not only that, but you also have to do everything within a relatively short time frame. As such, it is hardly surprising that both parents and children consider this to be the most stressful time of day. In fact, one study found that one in five children get into the car feeling worked up or anxious as a result of this.

With that in mind, here are some top tips for conquering the school run as a busy dad. 

Prepare as much as you can the night before. One of the easiest ways in which you can prevent chaos each morning is by preparing as much as you can the night before. For example, you should make sure that your children’s uniform is hung up in their room, so that they can get dressed as quickly as possible. You may also want to prepare breakfast ahead of time, so that everyone has something to eat before they step out of the front door. 

You should also make sure that your kids go to bed at a reasonable time, so that they are getting enough sleep.

Keep your car in good working order. Keeping your car in good working order is also crucial when managing the school run, especially if you need to commute to work right after. Otherwise, everyone will be late. As such, you should make sure to take good care of your car to guarantee yourself a smooth, stress-free ride. If you’re encountering any issues or are simply due a replacement, now may be the perfect time to go car shopping. To get started, try searching “citroen dealers near me.”

Try eating breakfast together. Eating breakfast together as a family may seem impossible, but you’d be surprised at just how much this can transform your day. For example, it provides you with the opportunity to spend some quality time with your children, which means that you are setting the day off on the right foot. On a similar note, it may also reduce your stress quite considerably.

Have your own morning routine in place. While your children will likely be your primary focus in the morning, especially if they’re reluctant to get up and going, you should also make sure that you have a morning routine of your own in place. This way, you can make sure that you have time to do everything you need to do, whether that’s spending some time fixing your hair or sitting to enjoy a cup of coffee. Either way, the more consistent you can be, the better. 

Final thoughts. The school run does not need to be anywhere near as stressful as you are currently making it for yourself. Following the steps listed above will help you to see just that!¬