Back-to-School Morning Essentials

It's that time of year again--notebooks, fresh pencils, and new backpacks, except this year things may look a little different. Maybe your kids are back to school part-time, maybe full-time with masks in place, or maybe you're all going to be managing while learning from home. No matter how this school year is shaking out for your family, I've put together a few essentials to keep those hairy morning hours moving smoothly.

As it gets darker and chillier, you're going to need some incentive to get out of bed. A cozy robe to wrap up in and the promise of a warm cup of joe might just do the trick. If you haven't already, give the Chemex a try. It might be a more manual coffee preparation, but those 5 minutes you take to slowly pour over the hot water gives you a chance to take a deep breath and prepare for the day. Not to mention, it makes a great cup of coffee and is the easiest pot to clean--a super time saver! Once the family is up, it's easy to forget about the caffeine jolt you so lovingly prepared, so grab an insulated tumbler to keep it hot for hours. I love the Yeti version for its fun colors, and it's dishwasher safe to boot.

Not into meditating over your morning coffee? No problem! Give yoga a try. Even if you only spend 5 minutes deep breathing on this cheery citrus-themed mat, you're sure to feel more prepared for your day. If you'd prefer to follow someone's lead, I highly suggest the Headspace app. It's an awesome place to start for meditation beginners.

Time to get a move on! Step into your shower for one more blissful "me" moment with these essential oil shower tablets and let the steam do the work. As you soap up, inhale the calming scent of lavender or the invigorating aroma of rosemary.

Back into the kitchen you go to get everyone ready for their day. I love the Instant Pot for easy morning oats, but it's also a great tool for simple dinners. No need to fret about scheduling a trip to the store for supplies. A simple dump-and-stir of things from the freezer and dinner will be on the table. If you do make those oats, make an extra large batch and decant into Ball jars for easy grab-and-go breakfasts for the whole family. I love to top my oats with dried fruit and nuts or a homemade berry sauce made from frozen fruit. While you're working away in the kitchen, turn on some tunes using a bluetooth speaker to get everyone's day started on a good note. A morning dance party is never a bad call!

Before everyone runs to their work or classes, double check your dry-erase weekly planner and be sure you all have what you need for the day. I especially like this one since you have a place for menu planning, easy adds to the shopping list, and notes-to-self, so nothing falls between the cracks.

I hope these finds make for smoother sailing in your home this fall. Let me know in the comments below if you have any morning must-haves!

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