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Maggie Dent’s Top Tips for Smoother School Mornings 

Term 2 is when the “morning grind” can really kick in. The break is over, the novelty has worn off, and getting everyone out the door can start to feel like a daily battle. 

Here’s the reframe that helps most: aim for smoother, not perfect. A few small tweaks can lower stress for everyone and make the day start with more connection and less conflict. 

1) Same pile, same place (every night) 

Kids often have what Maggie calls “a memory like a sieve” in the morning. Save your energy by creating one predictable spot where school essentials live every single night: 

• shoes and socks 
• hat 
• drink bottle 
• bag (and anything special like library books or sport gear) 

Same pile. Same place. 

As they get older, gradually hand this job to them so organisation becomes a skill they practise. 

2) Lunchbox success starts the night before 

If lunchboxes are part of your morning, reduce the scramble by doing one quick check before bed: 

• Do we actually have what we need? 
• Have the kids eaten the snacks I was counting on? 

Even laying out containers and lining up a drink bottle can make the morning feel calmer. 

3) Use music to set the mood 

Before you start calling out instructions, put on music. It changes the feel of the whole house. 

• If everyone’s flat or grumpy: choose upbeat “lift me up” music 
• If everyone’s edgy: try calming music or nature sounds 

Be intuitive. The goal is a calmer nervous system, not a perfect playlist. 

4) Fill the “love cup” before they get out of bed 

If you have a sensitive child, or a child who resists school, a little extra connection before the day begins can make the transition later much easier. If you can, build in a few minutes to snuggle, chat, or just be close before they’re even upright. 

5) Think protein at breakfast 

Some kids don’t want to eat early, but when you can, ask: “Where’s the protein?” Many paediatric dietitians remind us that sugary/simple carbs can lead to a mid-morning crash, which can affect mood, learning, and behaviour. Protein options can be simple: yoghurt, eggs, cheese, nut butter, milk, or leftovers. 

6) Micro-connection at the door 

Right before you leave, add a tiny ritual: a head rub, a squeeze, a tickle spot, a warm goodbye phrase. These micro moments fill the connection tank and can make separations smoother. 

7) Plan for “late with love” days 

If you have little ones (and honestly, even older kids), some mornings will throw a curveball. A random meltdown. A missing shoe. A “random poo.” You haven’t failed. Take a breath. Be a little late with love rather than rushing out rattled. 

Choose one tip to try this week, stick with it for a few mornings, and let small changes do the heavy lifting. 

Attribution: Adapted from key ideas shared by parenting educator Maggie Dent in her video “Tips for Smoother Mornings” on ParentTV. 

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