How to Get Out of the House on Time . . . Every Morning

There's no job more demanding than being a mother. And as a wife, mother of two, and full time worker, I know first-hand the stresses of getting the kids to school and yourself to work on time. Having to get out of bed before the sun comes up is less than fun and marks the beginning of a long, tiring day at work. A lack of sleep can cause you to not only nod off while sitting at your desk, but can also cause you to be unproductive. To avoid all the stress of being late in the morning, try the time-saving tips below.

Shower at night - I know that when you're really tired the last thing you want to do is jump in the shower. But actually, that's the best time to shower. Because you're tired, you're more likely to shower quicker because you're anticipating getting to bed. And if you must wash your hair, waiting until morning just slows you down that much more. And besides, being clean makes falling asleep much easier.

Prepare clothes in advance - You remember how your mom used to spend Saturdays ironing clothes for the week. Well, to save time, adopt your mom's timesaving principle. Preparing clothes and setting everything out for the next day can cut a considerable amount of time in the morning.

Pack lunches and backpacks at night - If your kids are in school, you surely have papers to sign and snacks and/or lunches to pack. Don't wait til morning to do these things. Go ahead and sign all papers as you check your child's homework. And packing lunches while you put away dinner or clean the kitchen keeps you from having to make one extra trip to the kitchen.

Prep breakfast at night - Gotta have that cup of joe before you leave home? Well pre-filling the coffee pot at night is a sure fire way to cut down on time. Fill your electric pot with your favorite coffee and the pre-measured amount of water. That way, all you'll have to do is turn it on. And, if you can splurge and get an automatic pot - you won't even have to do that! Go ahead and cook any breakfast items that you can at night while you're cooking dinner. Our favorite sausages and pancakes are just as yummy from the microwave!

By making a few minor adjustments to your nightly routine, you can save yourself a load of time in the mornings. And you never know...you might even get to sleep a little later!