Getting older children to school with a newborn in the mix as well can seem incredibly daunting. It might not be as bad as you think. These tips can help you stop stressing out and relax a little for those school mornings.
1. Think About How You Want To Travel With Your Little One
Are you going to walk your older children to school? In which case, would you want to use a travel system for your baby, or maybe a baby carrier? You can find new and improved travel systems, and prams for all budgets. You can probably pick up a very good model for a reasonable price second-hand, so keep an eye on your local selling pages.
2. Ask For Help
You’re going to feel overwhelmed with having a new baby anyway, and adding in the school run, can make everything seem impossible. Take a deep breath and ask for help. This could mean that for a few weeks someone stays home with your little one, or it could mean that a grandparent or a close friend comes with you in the car to sit with your baby.
3. Prepare The Night Before
School mornings are a hub of chaos, but you can make things a little easier by preparing what you can the night before. Lay out school uniforms, and make packed lunches, so there’s less for you to do in the morning.
4. Aim To Be Early
Always aim to be ready around 20 minutes earlier than you need to be. If you need to leave at 8.40, try to be ready for 8.20.
5. Flexible Routine
Making the school routine part of your baby’s routine is important, as it means that your little one will become more settled and content with it. However, it’s important to have some flexibility in your routine as well. If you need to leave for school earlier, and feed your little one later, as long as your little one is happy with that, do that.
6. Get Support From Other Parents And The School
You can also ask for help and support from other parents, and the teachers at school. If your little one is upset, perhaps a teacher, or another parent can help your older children get into school. Perhaps you and another parent could even take turns – one of you could do the morning run, and the other could do the pickup after school.
7. Independence
Encourage your older children to have a little more independence in getting themselves ready for school. If they can get themselves into the car, or get their own coats on, this will be a great help in getting your morning off to a smoother start.
8. Manage Your Expectations
Babies are babies, and sometimes they will cry, no matter what you do. Try to go with the flow a little bit. Expect the worst and hope for the best. Manage your own expectations, so that if something does go wrong, it won’t be overwhelming for you.
