Back to school: How to ease the morning routine

Ah, back to school time--a time when everyone's cheerful and neatly organized. Wait, what? Whose house does that happen in? Getting ready for school in the morning can be more like a zoo at times.  If that sounds more like your house in the morning--and most parents have been there--then you need to learn how to speed morning school prep.
1. Have a designated backpack, homework, and document area. Keeping the backpacks in a certain area can help prevent that morning search for it and all its contents. Get the kids in the habit of dropping the backpacks in that area as soon as they walk in the door. Putting them close to the homework area helps even more. This way, you don't have the problem of the kids carrying the backpack and papers all over the house. Restricting it all to one location reduces the likelihood of homework and supplies getting misplaced.
2. Stock easy-to-pack lunch foods. Keep easy to pack lunch items in the refrigerator and cupboards. Sliced and cubed meats and cheeses can be used to create a variety of lunch combinations. Also keep diced and sliced fruits and vegetables, crackers, trail mix, bread, and single serve juices. Reusable containers are the best way to go for being green, as well as for convenience.
3.Brush up on easy hair maintenance. It's possible to look cute with little time. For boys, shorter haircuts may help shorten school prep time in the morning. For girls, learn how to make stylish ponytails and other quick up-do styles.
4. Prepare clothing ahead of time. Try to avoid fabrics that need heavy care and maintenance. Those take too much time and will only add more stress to school mornings. If you must have clothing that requires ironing, iron it the night before. Better yet, iron a week or two worth of clothing at once and hang it all in the closet, paired in outfits. This creates a grab and go system, which is great for cutting school morning prep time down.