I can hear the backlash now:

That takes too long!

I’d rather just do it for them, it’s so much faster!

I know, it’s “faster” to pack their backpacks for them. But it’s not faster when you get flustered because you have the kids finally buckled in the car and realize one of them isn’t wearing shoes, or it’s Tuesday and they don’t have their library book.

Offloading the list to the wall does a few things:

✏️begins to support your child in taking ownership for their supplies and outfits

✏️teaches your child strategies for their own executive functioning

✏️gives YOU a checklist so you don’t have to keep it in your head

✏️keeps the morning rush collaborative instead of parent vs child

It won’t happen overnight. You’ll likely have to work through the list with them for a few weeks (or months depending on your child). But even in the beginning, it helps reduce stress and dysregulation in the morning.

Use my “Backpack Check” checklist template and personalize it to make it fit your and your child’s needs!