Many parents find that getting their toddler out of the door in the morning is a challenging task. This could mean they often end up late for things or need to skip important parts of getting ready to make it to the nursery or their appointments. This can cause frustration for many parents, which children can pick up on and may become upset or frustrated themselves. If this all sounds familiar, then this article can help; we have some tips to help you get your toddler ready and out the door quickly without any tantrums or stress.
Pre-packed diaper bag
A diaper bag is essential for any outing; having one pre-packed and ready by the door can save you valuable time and stress. When running around looking for items to put in your diaper bag, your toddler can get up to mischief and may even decide to get themselves undressed. Always keep a pre-packed diaper bag by the door for quick exits. This should include all the essentials you need and some extras to keep your toddler busy. Examples of things you need in the diaper bag include novel toys to keep your toddler distracted, snacks and drinks, wipes, blankets, pacifiers, hand sanitizer, extra diapers and clothing that’s suitable for the season. A well-packed and organized bag can help mornings run more smoothly. The trick to keeping it stocked up is to replace items as soon as they’re used after an outing, that way, your bag will always be ready for the next adventure.
Be patient and stay calm
Toddlers don’t understand schedules or the reason why they need to hurry up rather than take their time in the mornings. If you remain calm and patient, your toddler is less likely to become frustrated and upset, preventing many more problems and delaying your morning even further. If your toddler begins to get upset because they’re being rushed, slow down and take time to listen to their concerns and feelings. Keeping your toddler updated with information on what’s happening next and what you need them to do calmly can also help them stay on track and avoid distractions.
Allow extra time
Always allow more time than you think you need in the mornings to get you and your toddler ready. An extra half an hour to an hour can avoid the rush and make things run more smoothly. This may mean getting up earlier or scheduling your appointments later to give you enough time to do everything you need. If your toddler is still asleep when you wake up, you can use this time to get yourself ready and prepare breakfast so that there is less to do when you’re trying to look after your toddler.
Get their clothes ready in advance
If you have many toddler clothes, it’s sensible to pick out and prepare what clothes your child will wear the night before you need to get up early. If you want to give your toddler a choice, you can get two options ready for them to select between when they wake up in the morning. By doing this, you can prevent issues with your toddler insisting on wearing something that’s not suitable for your appointment or nursery. Also, by giving them a choice, you can help them feel more independent and happy about what they’re wearing.
Get them involved
It can be tempting just to get your toddler ready yourself when you’re in a rush by doing their hair, dressing them, and even feeding them. This might seem like the quickest way to get out of the house, but it’s unlikely that your toddler will cooperate with everything. A better way to make things run more smoothly is to get them involved, allow them to put on their own clothing, collect their shoes, pack their bag, and even do some morning chores. By involving them, your morning is likely to run more smoothly with fewer tantrums. Here are some reasons why children should engage in chores.
With these tips, hopefully, you can get your toddler out of the door quicker and have a more pleasant morning at the same time. The most important tip to remember is to give yourself more time than you think you need to get yourself and your toddler ready for the day. This way, you can avoid too much rushing and stress.
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