Time-Saving Tactics for Mornings

Not a morning person? So what! You don't have to be a morning wonder to speed up your morning routine. All it takes is some organization and a little preparation. It's probably no surprise that you should do as much as you can the night before. But did you know studies show it takes 20 percent longer to do things in the morning than at night? Try these tips for a pleasant start each day.

All moms know to get the school clothes out the night before. This applies to work clothes as well. And this includes socks, shoes, jewelry, hair accessories. No change of mind allowed in the morning - for kids or adults! Kids backpacks and parents' briefcases should be packed and ready to go. For high school students, turn a deaf ear to assurances they will print out their report the next morning. Get everything finished before bed.

The kitchen can drain your time in a hurry. So make lunches while cleaning up from dinner the night before. Prepare some items, such as bagged chips and cookies, on the weekend and keep in a special basket. You can fill the coffee pot and decide on breakfast before you go to bed. Yes, it's still the most important meal of the day. Even better, decide breakfast menus once a week and post them on the refrigerator. Your grocery store offers lots of easy options, such as pre-cooked bacon and smoothie mixes. How about milk shakes for the "I don't like to eat breakfast" set? For kids with a sweet tooth, offer yogurt sprinkled with chopped nuts, diced fruit or granola.

You'll feel more relaxed if you come home to a relatively clean house. Get up a few minutes earlier and clean up as you go. Put makeup away, swipe the kitchen counters and throw a load in the washer. Giving up those few extra minutes of sleep will pay a huge dividend in the evening.

Most importantly, have a morning routine. With children especially, it's easier if they do things in the same way each day. Younger children can have a "no cartoons" rule until they are completely ready to go. If the older kids have a hard time getting up in the mornings, don't give in to nagging and cajoling. Instead, give them an alarm clock to make them more responsible for their schedules. One embarrassing opportunity to stand before the attendance secretary and say, "I couldn't get out of bed" should cure your teenager of turning off the alarm.

If you work outside the home, you have even more of a morning challenge. Try to get yourself completely ready before getting the kids up. But don't put on your work clothes until just before you need to leave. Spills and wrinkles will always occur with children. Just put on a robe instead. Every Sunday night, put together a week's worth of outfits - ironed - and hang them together. And remember, once you jump out of the shower, if you can't do your hair in ten minutes or less, you need a different style!