There's so much to look forward to, but what most parents and kids dread is getting up earlier. There's also the daily struggle to get ready and out the door on time. The summer of '99 is almost a memory, but what goes along with summer fun, for most kids, is staying up later at night and sleeping later in the morning. Now, it's back to that school schedule. In winter that's gonna be dark.
Pack lunches the night before.
Lay out the kids' clothes, and your's, the night before. Get yourself dressed before the kids get up. Know everyone's after-school plans. As for getting your kids out of bed, Culbreth said, give them their own special alarm clock so they can do it themselves. Breakfast is a must once they're up.