Stay at home mom.
Work at home mom.
Work outside the home mom.
Fur baby mom.
It doesn’t matter what kind of mom that we may classify ourselves as. We all have one thing in common.
Seasons of busyness.
Certain times in life and in our individual daily routines are busier than others. For me personally, fall is one of the busiest times of the year for me. I think that acclimating to new schedules makes it an especially challenging time. In my daily schedule, mornings are our most ovewhelming time of day. Getting 5 people out the door on time is never an easy task. I naively thought that it would be more simple as the school year progressed, but this has not been the case thus far. Dragging the kids out of the bed (usually figuratively but often literally) and getting them to school on time is tough! Even for organized moms who prep for mornings ahead of time know that sometimes kids throw a wrench into any routine.
Our morning routine may sound familiar. I awaken approximately 30 minutes before the kids to get myself ready and make breakfast. I wake the kids to eat breakfast. While they eat breakfast, I help assemble their lunches and daily water bottles (which I make the night before and place in the refrigerator). The kids get dressed, and I help with hair or brushing teeth or getting anything else together that needs to be done. We drive to school, where everyone exits the car and hustles into class to start the school day.
To make our morning routine as smooth as possible, here are a few tips that I follow daily:
- An organized morning begins with prep in the evening. Have the kids lay out their clothes, finish homework, pack snacks/lunches, and anything else that can be done the night before.
- Resist the snooze button. The alarm snooze button is oh-so-awesome when I’m rolling back over to fall asleep for JUST FIVE MORE MINUTES, but it’s not so awesome when I didn’t get up in time and am running terribly late.
- Make a to-do list. The night before, I make a to-do list with everything that I need to get accomplished the next day. These free to-do printables are great for attaching to the front of my planner or inserting into my planner. I’m including the free printable sheet for you to download, too! Simply right click on the image below to download it to your computer. Use your home printer to print the page on regular printer paper. Cut to use.
- Maintain the kids’ wake-up routine. I admit to several moments of “going soft” and thinking that the kids will be appreciative if I let them lay in the bed for a little longer. It always backfires and leads to grumpy kids who aren’t awake enough to dress themselves before stumbling out the door.
- Go easy if mornings do not go as planned. Perhaps I totally forgot to set my alarm. Or we have no choice but to stop for gas (even if there’s not time). We are all human, and mistakes happen.
For those mornings when time is strapped or when I just need to treat myself for making it through another busy morning, Circle K has me covered. Fall = Pumpkin Season, and Circle K is ready with Dunkin’ Donuts Bottled Iced Coffee Pumpkin Spice. This Grab and Go beverage comes in a resealable bottle that is ready to run errands or head for a productive day in the office.
Who loves the Dunkin’ Donuts Bottled Iced Coffee Pumpkin Spice? I have noticed several friends already taking these to the office. It is no surprise that Dunkin’ Donuts Pumpkin Spice has been the #1 selling flavor in pumpkin spice for the past three years. It’s ready for pumpkin picking, apple picking, or any of your other favorite fall activities.
I really need to start making more to do lists. I tend to have them written in my head, and then I’ll forget, which isn’t good. Or I’ll write stuff on my palm.
I use my planner all the time and enjoy finding great printable to go along with my planner. These will be fun addition.
I 100000% could NOT live without my planner. EVER!!!! I need my planner and my to-do lists and my calendars and everything! I am a crazy when it comes to that stuff, but I get things DONE soooo it must work 😉
I definitely need to get a new planner. Mine has gone the way of the dodo and is falling apart. My son could use a planner also for school so I need to print this for both me and him.
I have to see if I have a Circle K near me. It looks life they have a lot of great snacks on hand.
I can not live without my planner and to do list. I can’t use the ones on my phone or computer. I have to physically write it down. If I write it down I remember more.
Those bottles are so convenient. I always pick some up from the store. I also love the idea of those printables – perfect for busy days!!
I love DD hot coffee, maybe I’ll like the cold one. I do love your lists too.
Coffee + a to do list, that is my life. Thanks for the printable!
Dunking Donuts has the best coffee. I need to pick up some of these pumpkin spice coffees for when I can’t get by an actual Dunkin.
I literally keep a bottle of Dunkin Donuts coffee in my car door in case I can’t find coffee in the morning, lol! I am a bit disorganized, and these are helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Coffee and a to do planner go so well together! This coffee will be a big hit during the fall too.
Such a cute printable. I love stuff like that! I also love so much those pumpkin spice drinks. So good!
I am such a list maker that I love making lists and checking things off and being prepared!! Great post!!
Having a planner is a must. It’s great to write things down and get them done. Mmm, that drink looks delish btw! Yum.
Planner and Pumpkin Spice = the perfect combo for busy back – to school days !
For me it all starts with fresh coffee and getting up nice and early. I am totally getting that planner though!
Moms need a planner ever year, it really helps in organizing all of the tasks every day. I love this printable, I did not know you can even get one.
Heck yes to coffee and to do lists! What a great way to start the day. Your printable is perfect to help keep us organized.
This is such a great help! No need to go to the office warehouse and buy. This printables is really what I need. Time to print then list down my things to do.