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Smooth Morning Routine

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-651 -- More Projects »
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Use a dry-erase board to organize family activities. See details in the tip below.
TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham offers helpful hints for making mornings run smoothly.
  • A surprising but logical place to post a reminder list is in the bathroom. Each person in the house goes into the bathroom each morning, so all eyes will see the list.

  • To quickly remove the wrinkles from an outfit, place the item of clothing in the dryer, along with a water-misted towel. Set the dryer on "air" only. After a few minutes, the wrinkles should be gone.

  • Mount a clip somewhere close to the door for hanging important notes, permission slips, prescriptions, letters and bills to be mailed. This will help you remember to take these items with you as you leave the house in the morning. You might want to have a separate clipboard for each member of the family.

  • Keep a dry-erase board on the back of the front door for each family member. Each person can then write their plans for the day under their name. Pertinent information such as what he or she is doing after school, what time he or she will be home, whether a ride is needed and a possible dinner suggestion are helpful to include.

  • Turn off electrical devices--coffee pot, curling iron or hair dryer--each morning before you leave the house. Set an egg timer to go off as a reminder.

  • Tie a ribbon to a child's backpack as a reminder for them to give a note to their teacher.

  • Use a large laundry basket as a to-go box and place it somewhere near the front door. It can be used as the collection spot for clothes that have to be dropped off at the cleaners, packages that have to sent, or books that have to be returned to the library. When the box is full, carry it out to your car.

  • Use a technique called displacement in order to remember obscure items that you need to take with you in the morning. For instance, if you have baked goods to bring to a school bake sale and you are afraid of forgetting about them, place your car keys next to the baked goods.

  • If you use a personal handheld computer to organize your day, be sure to make a special category for morning tasks with the children. Keep track of when notes are to be sent to school, when permission slips are due, when after-school activities are, etc.

  • The most handy type of keychain you can have is a bangle bracelet. Just slip it over your wrist, and your hands are free to do other things.
Also in this Episode
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-651
•Clever Picture Frames
•Preparing a Whole Fish
•Smooth Morning Routine
•Tip of the Day
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