Morning Madness And The Lost Time

The school run. A time of ordered chaos, pressure and lost time … yes lost time.

It doesn’t matter how organised we try to be what time we get up or how many things we need to cram into the morning we are without exception always chasing our tail. There’s never enough time to do everything I need, to get the girls ready and out of the door in time which means that I get even less time to look after myself! As the weeks go past I find myself tweeking and fine tuning all the things we need to do in the morning and I’m starting to see results. A few little victories to me!

One of those victories has to be the New BelVita Breakfast Crunchy.

A fruity, extra nutty or chocolaty crunchy breakfast biscuit, generously packed with delicious ingredients (5 wholegrains plus Apricot, Hazelnuts, or chocolate bits).  BelVita Breakfast Crunchy biscuits have a high content of slowly digestible starch, which is a slow release carbohydrate. Eating food high in slowly digestible starch (SDS) raises blood glucose concentration less after a meal compared to products low in SDS which basically means that I get energy slowly released over the morning rather than a quick fix that disappears quickly. 

 

They are perfect size to stick in my pocket or bag for those times when I need a little extra oomph … which at this time of year is frequently!
They have a lovely crunchy oaty taste and go really well with my morning coffee and grapefruit. Even Mr Dad likes to take a pack with him to work.

A perfect nibble to help me get through our manic ‘work in progress‘ morning routine (Victory No.1)

 

The most important part of our routine is NO TV. It makes so much difference to our morning and even results in us chatting as a family … now fancy that?!

 

The girls get up early (6-6.30 am), make and eat their breakfast and then it’s back upstairs to get dressed, wash, do teeth and do hair. Hair can be a problem if it involves me but they know that there are certain No Mummy Help Days and as a fall back there’s always the ‘High Pony Quicky‘ (Victory No.2) that can be done as we walk down to the car!
If I’m lucky I get an espresso brought up to me as they head to the bathroom which is normally my cue to get up! Victory No.3

 

First on my list is the packed lunch (times three if I’m really unlucky) which takes a heap of time as I don’t do the night before. Soggy sandwiches are a no no! On the plus side they have school dinners the majority of the time and we now have a pot of change by the front door that the girls collect the money from as they get their coats on to leave. Independence and a bit of education at the same time! I also get one of them to read to me or practice their violin as I make the packed lunches up Victory No.4

 

Music practice v. homework is the biggest challenge. It was a ‘mare at the beginning of the term as we were so disorganised. Three lots of music practice, reading and homework is a challenge every day (especially with all the clubs we do)but we seem to be getting into a routine.  Sitting down at 7am and listening to your child practice their violin and/ or cello requires a lot of humour and dedication from both sides!

I cannot tell you how many times we have to turn the car around to get forgotten homework. In fact last week I had to scan and email in the girls homework as they were so distressed about leaving it behind *sighs*. So another recent decision is to put all homework in the school bag even if it doesn’t have to be in f,or a few days! Victory No.5

Then there’s the misplaced shoes, water bottles, hats, glove (yes it’s always only one missing), after school club kit, my keys, may bag and general lateness.

I’ve even taken to putting the clocks ahead by 5 minutes to get us out in time Victory No.6 

We’re still always late though and pull up just as the school bell sounds!

A hug, kiss and a wave and they skip off into school and I head home to clear up the mess left by our busy mornings only to find something has been left in the car.

This week we’ve added a new item to our school run routine … ‘The fruit and nut mix’

RoRo likes to take a pot of Fruit and Nut inot school for her school snack and she ALWAYS reminds me as we go out the door! Last Friday we decided in the car that the best thing to do would be to make up the five boxes on Sunday all ready for the week ahead and she can even help make up the mix! Victory No.7

All I have to do is remember to do it!

This post is an entry for #MorningWin Linky Challenge sponsored by belVita Breakfast. T Learn more at http://bit.ly/belVitaUK