We Survived the School Year Without a Single Morning Tardy—Here’s How

Is your daily life a whirlwind of chaos? Have you ever found yourself hanging a wet baseball jersey out the window on the way to a game because you forgot to switch the laundry? Or perhaps you accidentally sent a family photo to kindergarten featuring your dad in a shirt that says, “I don’t care” while a child obscured your kindergartner’s face with an amusement park map? How about packing your child’s lunch entirely in gallon Ziploc bags after forgetting (multiple times) to pick them up on your last Target run? This isn’t just a one-off occurrence for us; it’s our daily reality. I have accepted that I may never have it all together.

However, this past school year was transformative in terms of punctuality. With my kids attending a new school, I was determined to ensure we were on time. The school is nearby, so there was no reason for tardiness. Our previous school was also close, yet we racked up 15 tardies during the 2019/2020 school year—a year largely spent at home due to the pandemic. I shudder to think how many tardies we could have accumulated if we had been physically attending school. This year was different; I was resolute about avoiding the tardy trap, and we succeeded. Not once were my three children late—they made it to their classrooms before the bell rang every single day from September 1 to May 28. Here’s how we did it.

Outfits Organized

I decided that my kids would no longer choose their clothes in the morning. This took too much time. Instead, I washed their school uniforms every night and had them ready at the kitchen table each morning. Everything from socks to shirts was laid out for them—no excuses for missing sweatshirts or poorly fitting polos. Shoes were to be placed on the steps the night before, and if they forgot, they would have to wear their black slip-on dress shoes with their shorts because I wasn’t about to waste time searching for lost sneakers. This simple rule helped us avoid morning chaos.

Backpack Ready

Backpacks were lined up on the living room couch each night before bed. If there were any additional items like an art bag or a Chromebook, those also needed to be placed in the living room. We didn’t want to scramble for missing folders or assignments at 7 a.m. If something wasn’t in the backpack the night before, my kids had to go to school without it—COVID restrictions meant I couldn’t deliver forgotten items.

Lunches and Water Bottles

We prepared lunches the night before, with sandwiches, cut-up fruits, and veggies ready to go. The kids would select their chips and treats, and we’d store non-perishable items in lunch bags while the rest stayed in the fridge overnight. Water bottles were also placed next to the lunch bags, ready to be filled before we left.

Breakfast Choices

I usually offered three to four breakfast options to minimize complaints. While they grew tired of the same meals halfway through the year, we mixed it up occasionally. One morning, I even made pancakes and bacon, prompting my son to ask if I had bad news for them—nope, just an early start with my melatonin kicking in!

Getting Out the Door

While the kids brushed their teeth, I filled water bottles and packed lunches. Everyone had to grab their own belongings from both the kitchen and the living room. If it was cold, jackets and winter gear were placed by the backpacks the night before. This system minimized the chances of forgetting something important. If they did forget, they faced the consequences at school; no last-minute rescues from Mom.

Seating Arrangements

To eliminate the morning fight over who sits in the front seat, we established an alternating schedule. This ensured everyone had their fair share of the coveted front seat in our minivan.

The School Commute

Our goal was to be in the car by 7:25 a.m. to catch our favorite radio show’s game at 7:30. Missing that game would stress me out because it meant less time for the 10-minute drive to school. Thankfully, we usually arrived with at least 10 minutes to spare, and everyone was happy because I wasn’t yelling or rushing like in past years.

While my life may seem unorganized—I didn’t mention making beds or cleaning breakfast dishes—I have mastered morning timeliness. I’ve shared only the essentials here. I’m not one to post perfectly organized pantries on social media; mine is filled with boxes and bags stuffed to maximize space. However, I take pride in our punctuality. Achieving zero tardies feels like a monumental accomplishment, and I gladly accept all the praise.

And if you’re ever in a pinch, one last tip: let your kids sleep in their clothes. It can save you a couple of minutes in the morning—but I wouldn’t know anything about that…

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Summary:

This article shares practical strategies for ensuring children arrive at school on time without any tardies. By organizing clothing, backpacks, breakfast, and lunch preparation the night before, the author successfully navigates chaotic mornings. Despite embracing an imperfect lifestyle, the focus on punctuality becomes a significant achievement.