Getting three kids out the door on a school morning is a big job. Doing it while heavily pregnant, starting at 5:00 a.m., is something else entirely. One mom walked through her whole morning, from the first tired sigh to a smiling selfie outside the school, and it included a moment that made her heart drop.
Mom and creator @livingwithagatha shares the morning with time stamps, so you can see exactly how long each step takes.
5:00 a.m. and a slow start
The morning begins in a dim bedroom, with a sigh as she gets out of bed. She slips on slippers, heads down the hall and puts on a belly support band in the bathroom. Then she wakes her son for school, helps him get going and slowly walks down the stairs. Soft music plays as she sings along.
In the kitchen at 6:15, she greets everyone and makes coffee, which the on screen text calls a victory over the “coffee police.” Her son had asked for dumplings for lunch, so she fries dumplings on the stove, bakes pastries in the oven and packs a lunchbox with several compartments.
The moment her heart dropped
At 7:00 it is time to wake the girls. She checks the bunk bed, but her youngest is not where she is supposed to be. The on screen text says it all: “My heart literally dropped.” The little girl had gone into her sister’s bed, and the scare was over as fast as it began. Any parent who has ever stared at an empty bed will feel that jolt.
With everyone found, the girls get dressed and the hair styling begins. She puts in bows and hair ties, while Dad helps entertain and distract them. By 7:30 the girls are ready.
Drop off and done
Around 7:50, Dad buckles a little one into the car seat. Mom, in sunglasses, drives, and Dad walks one of the girls into school. Around 8:20 she finishes with a smiling selfie outside and a cheerful sign off: “And that completes my morning. See you guys later!”
What this routine gets right
- An early start. Beginning at 5:00 gives her time to move slowly and still finish on schedule.
- Teamwork. Dad takes on the car seat and the school walk, and he keeps the girls entertained during hair time.
- A lunch the kids want. Packing dumplings because her son asked for them makes lunchtime something to look forward to.
- Time stamps. Knowing roughly when each step should happen makes it easier to see where a morning can run late.
- A little treat. Her cup of coffee gets its own moment on the schedule.
Tips for school mornings during pregnancy
A busy morning can feel even longer when you are expecting, and it can feel longer still when other children need you at the same time. Every pregnancy is different, so what works for one mom may not work for another. A few ideas can help you decide what to try.
- Prep the night before. Pack lunches, set out clothes and charge devices so the morning has fewer steps.
- Share the load. Let your partner take on tasks that involve lifting, such as buckling car seats.
- Sit when you can. Do hair, lunch assembly and other tasks from a chair if possible.
- Ask your doctor about support. Some pregnant women use belly support bands, and your health care provider can tell you what is right for you.
- Keep snacks and water close. Staying fed and hydrated helps with energy.
Common questions about kids who wander at night
Is it normal for a child to climb into a sibling’s bed? Yes. Many young kids seek out the comfort of a brother or sister during the night, and it is common in shared rooms.
What about bunk beds and safety? The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that children under six should not sleep in the top bunk, and it recommends guardrails and a secure ladder. It is worth checking your own setup.
How do I stay calm when I cannot find my child? Take a breath and check the likeliest places first. Beds, closets and the beds of siblings are often where they turn up.
The takeaway
A school morning with three kids and a baby on the way takes planning, patience and a partner who pitches in. This mom made it from 5:00 to 8:20 with dumplings packed, bows in place and one scare that turned out fine. Start early, share the work and remember to check the sister’s bed first.
Credit for the original post goes to @livingwithagatha on Instagram.