Beat morning mayhem

On top of the morning
With four young kids, three of whom have to appear at school daily, I am the poster mother for surviving morning chaos. The secret lies in what gets done the night before. By spreading the work, the many tasks that have to be completed can be managed at a time where you aren't stressed to the limit. Here are four tips to help you make the most of the night:

• Pick clothes before bed. We make great play of laying out entire outfits complete with accessories.

• I make as much of my daughter's lunch as I can at dinnertime (lunch is a great way to use leftovers) and leave the nonperishables in a bag on the counter so I remember to pack the lunch the next day.

• Each night I do an inventory of my kids' bags and reread any official correspondence. I check the calendar to see who has gym or whose field-trip permission form is due.

• I stuff knapsacks, perch gym shoes on top and blockade the front door with the lot. I usually include kids in this process in the evening, but always do my own double check.