1. Consistency is key when it comes to your toddler’s bedtime routine.

Yup, multiple sleep medicine reviews agree that a consistent bedtime routine can have huge benefits for toddlers. We see better sleep (longer stretches, fewer wake-ups, earlier bedtimes), improved development (language, literacy, emotional regulation), and even more positive family functioning. Toddlers love routines and rituals—once they become habit, they’re rarely challenged.

Routines give children structure, reduce anxiety, and remove the “what’s next?” worry at the end of the day. Plus, when your child knows exactly what happens before bed, they’re less likely to push boundaries—because mom and dad are consistent.

2. Visual Bedtime Routines are easiest for toddlers to understand.

A visual schedule is simply your evening routine presented in pictures—think of a chart or sequence of images showing each step. It’s something that toddlers of all ages and language abilities can easily follow.

 

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The benefits are huge:

• Clear expectations = more cooperation
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Easier transitions between activities
• Improved understanding of time and sequencing
• A boost in independence and self-esteem
• Support for literacy if you add words to the pictures

Dr Golly especially loves charts that toddlers can interact with—folding up a card, ticking off with a whiteboard marker, or adding a sticker for each step. And remember, these kinds of visual sequences can work wonders in other areas too, like morning routines or even just the steps to getting dressed.

3. Consistency is key, but you’ll also want to keep things upbeat.

Wherever you are and whoever’s looking after your child, the steps of your bedtime routine should be the same. But it’s also super helpful to remember that this shouldn’t be a tense or negative exercise. Dr Golly stresses three ways to keep things light:

Be patient: These are new skills, and toddlers may need verbal and physical guidance at first.
Track small wins: Let them mark off each task with stickers or ticks.
Use positive reinforcement: Praise, rewards, or a star chart can help. Maybe a little prize for one night completed, and a bigger reward for five nights in a row!

4. Dr Golly’s ideal bedtime routine consists of eight steps.

Every family’s steps will be different—some may include prayer, eczema cream, or even small household chores for older toddlers. But his standard routine, which works for most families, goes like this:

1. Eat dinner
2. Bath
3. PJs
4. Brush teeth
5. Toilet
6. Book
7. Kiss and cuddle
8. Sleep (ideally independently)

You can download a free copy of Dr Golly’s Toddler Bedtime routine here.

5. Stick to the same order every night (well, as much as possible—these are toddlers, after all).

The routine works best if it follows the steps in the same sequence each night. That being said, it’s not a disaster if your toddler goes to the toilet before brushing their teeth. Aim for a natural order that suits your household.

6. Avoid screens well before bedtime.

Dr Golly doesn’t recommend any screen time in the two hours before bed. The goal is to keep things calm and help your toddler wind down.

7. When things have gone sideways, prioritize your bedtime.

Both the actual time you put your child to bed and the routine itself matter, but if you have to choose, a consistent bedtime is more important than squeezing in every step of the routine. Don’t push bedtime back just to fit it all in. If you’re short on time, move through the steps a little quicker—without rushing—so everyone stays relaxed.

8. You don’t have to use the visual bedtime chart forever.

Most families use it for a few weeks until habits form. Then it becomes part of everyday life. If things go off track (which is totally normal), you can bring it back out to reinforce expectations.

Want more advice like this?
If your tot won’t fall asleep without you, you’re far from the exception—this is very common. Dr Golly’s Toddler Sleep Program has all the gentle strategies to help your child develop healthy, independent sleep habits, so you can have your evenings back

If you were to take a safari to the landscape of motherhood, moms of middle schoolers and high schoolers would be the big cats—sleek and sure-footed. Moms of elementary schoolers and preschoolers would be the herd animals—finding strength in numbers and able to pivot directions on a dime. And those of us who are moms of toddlers? We’re for sure the monkeys, relying on our silliness and our noise levels to hold our kids’ attentions, and also frequently covered in poo. While it may seem that we lose in the hierarchy of mom life, in reality, we’re the winners. Keep reading to find out why being the mom of a toddler rules—tantrums notwithstanding.

1. Zero Inhibitions. Grocery store DJ playing your favorite song on aisle 9? Your toddler’s there for you. When older kids run away from potentially embarrassing situations, your toddler is your number-one wingman.

2. Knee Hugs. Is there anything better than feeling little arms wrap around your knees when you least expect it? No one but a toddler can give a knee hug, and it’s hard to beat.

3. Naps. When toddlers are up, we’re on, which is why they’re not the only ones who need that afternoon nap to get through the rest of the day. Whether you can eek out a nap of your own or just take care of business while your little one is down, we can all agree that a toddler nap is pretty epic.

4. Laugh-Crying. Anyone who’s ever watched Steel Magnolias knows that the best emotion is when you start to laugh while you’re crying. And your toddler is a pro at it.

5. Snuggles. Toddlers are still small enough to hold, and there’s no place they’d rather be at the end of the day than snuggled up in your arms.

6. Five-Point Restraints. For real. When your toddler is losing her mind, it’s still perfectly acceptable to plug her into a stroller or car seat that still comes with a five-point restraint. Many a parent of a tween wishes they still had that capability.

7. Gift Euphoria. They don’t care if it’s an impossible-to-find electronic device. Toddlers are equally excited to receive a pack of stickers as they are an Amazon Fire. The pièce de résistance? The cardboard box their gift comes in.

8. Cabbage Knees. What is it about toddlers’ knees that makes them dimple like that? When you’re a toddler mom, you can tickle those cabbage knees any time you want.

9. That Top-of-Head Smell. Not to get all weird on you, but a toddler’s smell—especially after a bath—could be bottled and sold. When you’re a mom to a toddler, you get to sniff the tops of their clean heads as much as you want.

10. Children’s Books. When you have a toddler, you get to read happy books about everything interesting in the world.

11. Being a Place. Toddlers don’t see their moms as just people, if they recognize us as humans at all. Moms are places for them—safe places—to run to when something is wrong, or scary, or unfair. Just being there is important to them, and it’s such an uncomplicated gift to offer.

12. Watching a Sense of Humor Develop. When your baby becomes a toddler, their language and grasp of the world around them explode. You get to watch as their sense of humor develops out of so much perceived chaos, and giggle along with them.

13. Finding Your Tribe. There’s something about the bond of mothers navigating toddlerhood together that lasts. Whether it’s navigating new experiences or sharing the burden of carpools and creating incremental spaces of free time for one another, moms of toddlers find their people and stick with them.

To make things easier (and save you from the aisle-five meltdown), we rounded up the best back-to-school sales happening right now. We’re talking backpacks, lunchboxes, pencils, shoes—basically, everything your kid needs and the stuff you’ll remember they need 48 hours before school starts.

We’ll be updating our best back to school sales list weekly with fresh finds and deals, so check back anytime the school supply chaos creeps in. We got you.

Best Back-to-School Sales to Shop Right Now

These deals are going fast (just like your patience with trying to find that school supply list)

Target

The quintessential Everything Store for parents. Right now, you’ll find major markdowns on backpacks, water bottles, and classroom must-haves, with Circle deals popping up constantly.

Front of the Line:

• Save $10 when you spend $40 on select kids’ and toddler clothing
• School supplies starting at $0.25
• Up to 25% off select backpacks and water bottles
• Up to 25% off select backpacks

Hot Pick: Cat & Jack backpacks starting at $20 (and are actually cute)

Cat & Jack Classic Backpack ($20)—Buy Here!

Old Navy

Uniforms, tees, leggings—whatever they allow in your school district, it’s probably here.

Front of the Line:

• Tees and leggings from $5
• Polos and graphics from $6
• Activewear from $7
• Dresses and shorts from $8

Hot Pick: School uniform must-haves starting at $6 (plus a 1-year guarantee on all kids’ clothes)

Old Navy School Uniforms ($6+)—Buy Here!

Amazon

You can’t go wrong with two-day shipping and hundreds of five-star-reviewed picks. Deals rotate quickly, but they’re always worth checking.

Front of the Line:

• School picks starting at $5
• School uniforms under $20
• Up to 40% off deals on school supplies and gear

Hot Pick: Bentgo Kids Lunchboxes at 25% off, in 8 colors (to avoid the dreaded, “that’s not the color I wanted” discussion)

Bentgo Kids Lunchbox ($29.99, originally $39.99)—Buy Here!

Walmart

Walmart’s sales hit everything from lunchboxes to laptops. They also have pre-loaded school supply kits for select grade levels, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

• School uniforms from $4
• Backpacks from $5
• School supplies starting at $0.25

Hot Pick: JBuddies Studio 2 Kids Wireless Headphones from $24.88 with a super comfy fit for little ears.

JBuddies Studio 2 Kids Wireless Headphones ($24.88)—Buy Here!

DSW

Shoes for under $30? Totally a thing. Sandals, sneakers, and school uniform shoes, all included in their back‑to‑school sale section right now.

• Up to 25% off brands like Nike, Adidas, and more
• Backpacks starting at $25
• Active shoes starting at $39.99
• School uniform shoes starting at $24.99

Hot Pick: Kids’ Adidas Lite Racer Sneakers up to 25% off (they slip right on, so you’re out the door a little faster).

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Dr. Daniel Golshevsky, who you probably know as sleep guru Dr Golly, isn’t sold. He says the so-called four-month sleep regression is one of the most dreaded myths of parenthood, and if we could just reframe how we think about it and handle it, parents (and their babes) would be much better off.

We caught up with the pediatrician dad to learn how he wants us to look at four-month-olds, why this age can be so tumultuous, and how to handle any disruptions that might pop up.

Dr Golly, let’s start with the big question—is the 4-month sleep regression real?

Dr Golly: Honestly? No. I know that might surprise some parents, but I’ll say it clearly: there is no such thing as a 4-month sleep regression. There is no guarantee that at 16 weeks, your baby will suddenly throw the schedule you’ve worked tirelessly to achieve straight out the window. What I see far too often is tired parents being told that they just have to suffer through it—and that really frustrates me.

But something does seem to change around that age, right?

Dr Golly: Absolutely. At four months, babies go through big developmental changes. Their sleep cycles start to look more like their grown-ups, with less deep sleep and more light sleep. They also go through a major growth spurt—both physically and cognitively—and that means they’re more alert and aware of the world around them.

What does this look like? Well, it could mean they suddenly hate sitting backwards in the stroller, or they quickly lose interest in feeds, or start playing with their hands or talking to themselves when they’re supposed to be sleeping.

So yes, your baby might start waking more, feeding less efficiently, or being more distracted—but that’s not a regression at all! It’s a brilliant progression.

That’s a refreshing take. But let’s be honest—losing out on sleep is no fun for anyone. So how can parents support their baby through these changes?

Dr Golly: First, by recognizing that this is all perfectly normal. It’s a beautiful stage—one of my favourites, actually. Babies are starting to babble, reach out, and interact more. But they’re also developing fast, and they need more energy to fuel that.

That’s why I often recommend introducing solids around this time, in consultation with your pediatrician. The extra calories can help stretch their sleep, and since it can take weeks for them to eat proper amounts of food, you might as well get going. And it’s not just about sleep—it’s also a great window for reducing allergy risks. International allergy guidelines recommend introducing allergens early and consistently.

What signs should parents look for to know their baby’s ready for solids?

Dr Golly: Look for increased head control, more drooling, better coordination, and interest in what you’re eating. They might even reach for your food! These are all signs that they’re gearing up developmentally.
But remember, solids should add to, not replace, milk feeds. Milk is still their main source of nutrition at this stage.

So if sleep suddenly changes around four months, parents shouldn’t panic?

Dr Golly: Exactly. Don’t see it as the wheels falling off—see it as a sign that your baby’s growing and thriving. With a few small adjustments and the right support, you can absolutely stay on track. You don’t have to endure weeks of chaos. You’ve got this.

Are there other times where development explodes and you might see a “sleep regression”?

Google “sleep regression” and you’ll find loads of specific months when sleep allegedly goes off the rails. The 4-month sleep regression, the 6-month sleep regression, the 8-month sleep regression, the 12-month sleep regression, the 18-month sleep regression, and so on. It’s enough to make a new parent want to bury their head in the sand! But these are fueled by misconceptions: there is no “leap” (see my critique of The Wonder Weeks) or defined schedule or baby who just “hates sleep.” There’s always a reason specific to each infant that explains their sleepy rough patch, and you don’t have to just sit back and suffer through it.

Want more advice like this?
Dr Golly’s bestselling guide, Your Baby Doesn’t Come With a Book, is packed with smart, reassuring advice—and it’s yours free when you upgrade to Tinybeans+ (limited offer for US users). Plus, don’t snooze on his sleep program, with courses covering newborns, little babies, and big babies.

It’s been four years since Dove released this stat, but it feels just as chilling.

Posing, filters, edits, AI apps… these days, it couldn’t be easier to completely change the way you look in posts. Smoother skin, narrower noses, fuller lips, smaller waists, bigger hips, slimmer arms—and along come our daughters and sons, who have never known the world any other way and whose developing brains are internalizing all these unrealistic standards.

What a time to be a parent, hey? As a content creator with experience working in mental health and as a youth leader, I’ve seen how much social media can distort people’s perceptions and harm their mental well-being. And I see you, all of you parents, trying to navigate this scary new world.

The good news is, I think I can help. As I sit here in a coffee shop with my baby asleep in the pushchair next to me (that’s a stroller for the North American folks), I want to stress that as a caregiver in 2025, you have more influence in your children’s lives than it sometimes feels.

So here are a few things I’d suggest that can guide your family’s relationship with tech and model healthy behavior.

1. Never use filters on your own photos (especially ones with your kids in them).

You know those “innocent” filters that turn you into a cute animal? Most of the time, even they smooth your skin and change your features. So we might unintentionally be sending the message to our littles that even their primary caregivers are altering their appearances to conform to beauty standards. If we stop using filters and editing, they can look up to parents who accept themselves for who they are. How powerful!

2. Point it out when you see a photo that’s probably been manipulated.

“Everyone else has perfect, unblemished skin.”
“I’m the only one who doesn’t look like that.”
“I need to buy all these products influencers are promoting, and then I’ll look like they do.”

How will they know if we don’t tell them? To our eyes, it’s perhaps more obvious when a photo is edited or AI because we haven’t grown up in this filtered world. Let’s help train their awareness of what they’re consuming, so they can be kinder to their real self in the mirror.

3. Talk about what people choose to post on social—and what’s probably left out.

Did you know that large retail brands have had to change their return policies because people are placing massive orders, showing haul videos online, wearing the clothes for pictures, and then returning them?

From seemingly lavish lifestyles to bodies posed and contorted to look thinner (or whatever the latest ‘beauty trend’ is), so much of what we see is far from reality. People take 100 photos to choose just one to upload…

When we see a glimpse into people’s lives online, it’s easy to forget that we don’t see 99.9% of what’s actually going on for them. For our own well-being, as well as our children’s, we need to continuously remind our brains that what we’re scrolling through doesn’t reflect real life. Seeing ‘perfection’ at every turn needs to be called out, otherwise we can forget, a discontentment with our own lives can fester, and our mental health can be seriously impacted.

4. Keep the conversation open: social media, AI, cyberbullying, and mental health.

It’s hard to believe, but there are now ‘AI influencers’—accounts of people showing their amazing lives and being paid for brand deals, but they’re not even real. It’s becoming harder to tell what’s human and what’s not. What a minefield.

Talk about this with your children. Keep tabs on cyberbullying at their school. Stay on top of Snapchat, where evidence of conversations disappears (also a feature newly available on WhatsApp). Regularly check in to see if they’re feeling addicted to their device.

Open conversations around a screen-free dinner table can make such a difference, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.

5. You get to choose what you post online of your kids—and where.

Something I find myself reflecting on frequently when I scroll is the impact of childhoods being shared on social media. What will that feel like for them when they’re grown up?

As a response to the trend of ‘sharenting’ (parents publicly sharing kids online), I think we’re now starting to see a movement of parents putting their kids’ privacy first and protecting their digital footprints. This means less potential for identity theft, future bullying, career implications, embarrassment, or photos just generally getting into the wrong hands.

I’ve been using Tinybeans for months now (try it here!), which gives me total peace of mind that the only people seeing my daughter’s photos are the ones I choose. I still want to collect the story of her childhood in a beautiful way, but not at the expense of her privacy. When she’s older, she can then choose who sees her photos.

So here’s to our children growing up knowing that they are loved just as they are, even in this rapidly changing world.

Now, I’m not talking about parenting stereotypes, like Type A mom versus Type B mom or free-range mom versus helicopter mom. I’m referring to deeper parenting styles that fundamentally change how your child develops.

My former best friend and I met in kindergarten, meaning we had known each other for more than three decades. She jumped into her parenting journey a bit earlier than I did, and initially, she was quite helpful and supportive. When I was struggling with breastfeeding and my baby blues turned into postpartum depression, she encouraged me to do what was best for me—and that was to stop nursing. She was a mom who exclusively breastfed her kids for years, so this was monumental. Her words instantly removed the overwhelming social pressure and judgment I felt.

But as my kids grew, I began to notice something: our parenting styles were quite different.

My friend and her husband are more old school. Their word is law, and their kids are expected to do as they say. They are loving and supportive parents, and their beautiful children are thriving. But in their home, you won’t see her kids boldly expressing their feelings or having big explosions. Our home, on the other hand, is a little messier—figuratively speaking (at least in this case).

Our home is loud. My kids are intense. They bicker and let it all out. My husband and I do our best—though we sometimes fail—not to try to change or suppress our kids’ emotions. Sure, they’re still learning how to regulate these big feelings (as am I), but I believe that if they’re allowed to simply experience them, it will serve them well in the long run. Ultimately, they’ll know how to express their emotions in healthy ways rather than hide them—something my generation was brought up to do.

In that way, parenting changed me and really challenged me to do things differently. Wanting your children to grow into the best version of themselves often requires reflecting on who you are and want to be. Instead of fear and punishment, I now strive for connection over correction, which isn’t always the easiest.

Unfortunately, this responsive parenting style drove a wedge between the two of us. When I expressed vulnerability about how difficult it is to watch my child work through big emotions, she had zero patience. Instead, she replied, “Well, I would have told her to stop,” or “You let her ruin your day,” or worse, “She’s always been dramatic.”

Slowly, our relationship turned into me always needing to explain my choices. She questioned why I chose a certain school for my kids, why we didn’t reprimand them more, how we dealt with the pandemic; the list went on and on.

I began to realize that I didn’t need to explain myself to anyone, especially not someone who was supposed to be a friend. She saw my decisions as moral judgments—that her way of parenting must be wrong. In reality, it was just me choosing what I felt was best for my family.

After a while, I had to step away. And if one of your friends is criticizing how you parent, gaslighting you, or simply not supporting your choices at all, perhaps it’s time for you to step away, too. It’s just not healthy. You know what’s best for your child—period. No one needs to have an opinion about that. Reconsider whether your relationship is one that fills your bucket or takes from it. In my case, I already knew the answer.

That didn’t make parting ways any easier. I kept clinging to the past; we had so much history, after all. But because things grew toxic, I knew it was time. If we want to teach our children how to set and maintain boundaries, we must learn to create them for ourselves, too.

And at the end of the day, it’s vital to surround yourself with those who love and accept you for you—parenting style and all.

Dr. Jennifer Selegeon, a practicing pediatrician for 20 years and clinical advisor to the digital pediatric platform ParentMD, says, “One of the most important things we can do for our overall health is learning good sleep hygiene. This starts during infancy.” She explains that sleep is important for our development, our mental health, our immune system, and our body systems.

Co-founder of Sleepy Planet Parenting, Jennifer Waldburger, MSW, concurs, explaining that proper shut-eye helps babies thrive on every level: physically, neurologically, and socially. That’s why her company’s mission is to help children “learn good sleep skills with a minimum of tears.”

So now that we’ve met our guides, let’s dig into exactly why babies cry in their sleep and suggestions for what to do when you hear those midnight calls.

1. Your baby is moving into a different phase of sleep.

You’re feeling ready for the different phases your baby will go through during infancy, but how about the different sleep phases? Young babies experience two cycles of sleep: active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep (or REM sleep), your baby may dream, their eyes might move rapidly back and forth, or they might make the cutest of noises that you should definitely record to share with the grandparents on Tinybeans. During quiet sleep, your baby sleeps deeply, but it’s during these transitions that crying may occur, Waldburger explains.

“Because the cycles repeat every 45-50 minutes, that means baby is shifting from quiet to active sleep often throughout the night,” Waldburger begins, “so it’s not uncommon to hear baby whimpering throughout the night—this is nothing to worry about.” Dr. Segeleon says babies will often cry in their sleep, and this does not always mean that something is wrong. “Crying during sleep can be perfectly normal, and newborns start off with short sleep cycles and can wake frequently.”

To determine if your baby is crying because of shifting sleep cycles, check to see if their eyes are still closed and listen to your little one’s cries. “What’s more common in some younger babies is an occasional light whimper while keeping their eyes closed. This usually means that baby is shifting from one sleep cycle to the next,” Waldburger says.

2. Your baby is hungry.

Waldburger says if your little one’s cry is louder than a whimper, consider whether or not your baby could be hungry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most babies need to eat every 2 to 4 hours. This means that your little one may wake up feeling a little “hangry” several times during the night.

A good rule when trying to decide if your baby’s sleepy cry is due to hunger and should be addressed is to wait and see if your little one continues to cry or is able to settle down quickly. If your infant’s belly is feeling empty, it’ll be tough for them to fall back asleep without this need being met. Waldburger says a louder cry usually means that the baby is awake (or almost awake), even if their eyes are still closed. That’s when it’s time to check your schedule and prep for a feeding session.

3. Your baby is teething.

The drool, the crankiness, and the gnawing on your shirt collar have begun—your baby is teething. Babies start teething around 4 to 8 months of age, per the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. This lasts until 30-36 months when that last set of molars appears. Some symptoms of your baby teething are loss of appetite, ear rubbing, and yup, you guessed it… sleep disruptions. Dr. Segeleon reassures that teething can trigger crying during sleep, and Waldburger adds that when it comes to teething, we differentiate between ongoing/chronic teething and active teething.

“In chronic teething, there can be some movement of teeth with small spikes of pain or discomfort,” she says. She goes on to explain that this kind of teething could lead to lighter crying, and there isn’t anything you need to do here. In active teething, however, when a tooth is breaking through the gum, this pain can cause your child to cry more intensely. During this type of crying, your kiddo’s eyes will more than likely be open (and they’ll be awake), so Waldburger suggests going to your baby right away to offer comfort, milk, or a pain reliever if your pediatrician has recommended that and guided you on the dosage.

4. Your baby is in a sleep regression.

Your baby was such a good sleeper that you were almost too embarrassed to tell your mom friends. Now, out of the blue, your super-sleeper is waking up and crying more often than you reheat your morning coffee. Sleep regression can be triggered when your infant reaches new milestones or when your baby’s sleep patterns change, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Crying and fussing while sleeping during a sleep regression is common, and it can be hard to tell if baby needs your comfort or needs space to self-soothe.

“Crying during sleep when nothing is really wrong should be short and is typically more of a whimper or brief crying out,” Dr. Selegeon says. As long as you know that the baby’s needs are met, you can wait a few minutes or more to see if they’re able to settle themselves without any intervention. Dr. Selegeon says that if the crying is sustained, or if it sounds like your baby may be in distress, it’s alright to check on them. If you’re still not sure how to handle your baby’s sleepy cries during a sleep regression, talk to your pediatrician to decide whether or not your baby is old enough to learn how to self-soothe to fall back to sleep on their own (at which point you can consider sleep training) or if they still need your comfort when falling asleep.

5. Your baby is overtired or overstimulated.

When your baby crosses over into the world of The Overtired, it can feel like you’re in a weird world of your own. Schedule changes, long periods without power naps, or being overstimulated can all contribute to this state, and you might hear some sleep-crying from your infant even though their eyes are shut tight and you believe them to be asleep. “Sometimes overtired babies are more likely to cry a bit in their sleep,” Waldburger says.

Since overtiredness (and overstimulation) can both cause your baby to cry in their sleep, do your best to intervene early. “Try to get baby down for sleep 10 to 15 minutes before you typically see red eyes, yawning, and fussy behavior—all of which are actually cues that baby is already overtired,” Waldburger says.

What should you do when your baby cries in their sleep?

Hearing your baby whimper, cry, or softly moan while sleeping can be unsettling. As parents, we can struggle with how best to comfort and support our infants. Dr. Segeleon says if you hear your baby crying in their sleep to first take a pause and see if they can settle themselves before you rush in and disturb their sleep pattern. “Listen for signs of true distress, because you’ll learn to differentiate your baby’s cries and needs with time and experience,” she assures. You can also double-check the room temperature, make sure your baby’s swaddle is still, well… swaddled, or confirm your little one isn’t gassy.

Waldburger reminds parents that if the baby is lightly whimpering and still asleep, there’s absolutely nothing you need to do. “Sometimes trying to comfort a baby in this case will wake them all the way up—making it harder for them to return to sleep.” If your baby’s needs have been met and they still continue crying lightly for 5 to 10 minutes, try placing a hand on your baby’s tummy, use some very gentle motion, and offer a “shhh” or two.

It’s good for parenting peace of mind to know that most babies will outgrow this sleep-crying phase by the time they’re 4 to 5 months old. In the meantime, both experts say that if you have any questions or concerns about your little one crying in their sleep, contact your pediatrician for more advice.

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RELATED: The Best Kids Water Bottles for School, Sports, and Everything In-Between

Best Backpacks for Kids

Backpacks aren’t just for carrying books—they’re mini survival kits for kids (and parents). These top-rated picks nail the trifecta of durability, comfort, and style.

Toddler Backpacks

Tiny humans need tiny backpacks (and room for snacks).

Skip Hop Sparks Little Kid's Backpack

The GOAT of toddler backpacks—adorable designs, just-right size for preschool essentials, and easy-to-wipe materials for post-snack cleanup. 6 designs available.

Skip Hop Sparks Little Kid's Backpack ($24)—Buy Here!

L.L.Bean Junior Original Book Pack

A small but mighty version of L.L.Bean's Original Book Pack that’s lightweight, water-resistant, and designed with padded straps that won’t dig into tiny shoulders. Plus, you can add a monogram if you're feeling extra fancy. Comes in 6 prints, or choose from 6 solid colors here.

L.L.Bean Junior Original Book Pack ($34.95)—Buy Here!

Urban Infant Packie Toddler Backpack

Modern pattern game strong. This compact backpack shines with washable laminated fabric, a built-in art silo for masterpieces, and a front clip for favorite toys. Available in 12 patterns.

Urban Infant Packie Toddler Backpack ($29.95)—Buy Here!

Budget-Friendly Backpacks

Cute, durable, and won’t blow your back-to-school budget.

Target Cat & Jack Backpack

The under-$20 hero. It’s simple, reliable, and has designs that make kids happy (without the high price). 9 prints available.

Target Cat & Jack Backpack ($14)—Buy Here!

BrainyBees Kids Backpack

Cute, sturdy, and affordable? A unicorn (with unicorns on it, actually). This backpack has padded straps, a roomy main compartment, an insulated pocket, and a shape that doesn’t flop like a sad pancake after two weeks of use. 12 colors available.

BrainyBees Kids Backpack ($25.99+)—Buy Here!

VEEWOW Kids Animal Backpack

This high-capacity backpack flaunts fun animals, has padded straps for comfort, and, best of all, costs less than your kid’s weekly snack stash. Available in 26 prints.

VEEWOW Kids Animal Backpack ($19.99+)—Buy Here!

RELATED: The Highest-Rated Back-to-School Supplies on Amazon

Classic Backpacks

The forever favorites that will outlast the school year (and maybe next).

JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack

The backpack equivalent of a reliable best friend with padded straps, roomy compartments, and color options for every personality. 33 colors available.

JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack ($38)—Buy Here!

STATE Kane Kids Backpack

Sleek, modern, and cool enough that you’ll wish they made one in your size. Bonus: STATE donates fully stocked backpacks to kids in need with every purchase. There are a whopping 49 styles to choose from.

STATE Kane Kids Backpack ($98+)—Buy Here!

L.L.Bean Original Book Pack

The tough-as-nails backpack that can take whatever kids (and the weather) throw at it. Water-resistant and built to last years (and a monogram option). Available in 9 prints and 7 solid colors.

L.L.Bean Original Book Pack ($39.95)—Buy Here!

Organizational Backpacks

For kids who carry *everything*.

Quince Recycled Double Pocket Backpack

Sustainable, functional, and way chicer than your average school bag. Made with recycled materials, it has tons of pockets and a polished design that’s built to last beyond just one school year. Available in 6 prints.

Quince Recycled Double Pocket Backpack ($54.90)—Buy Here!

Cotopaxi Allpa Mini 20L Travel Pack Del Día

A bold, colorful backpack that’s as tough as it is eye-catching. Each Del Día pack is one-of-a-kind (literally), made from repurposed materials with a smart pocket layout perfect for organized chaos.

Cotopaxi Allpa Mini 20L Travel Pack Del Día ($130)—Buy Here!

Wildkin ECO rPET 15-inch Kids Backpack

Lightweight but with plenty of pockets and space for all the school-day essentials. Bonus: cute prints that don’t feel too babyish (they're big kids now, right?). 20 patterns available.

Wildkin ECO rPET 15-inch Kids Backpack ($31.99)—Buy Here!

Clear Backpacks

Because sometimes the school rules change.

CAMTOP Clear Backpack

Heavy-duty PVC and padded straps keep it comfortable and practical without the flimsy vibe of cheap plastic totes. 21 colors available.

CAMTOP Clear Backpack ($18.97)—Buy Here!

Amazon Basics Transparent School Backpack

Budget-friendly but surprisingly durable. Reinforced seams mean it’ll make it past the first semester.

Amazon Basics Transparent School Backpack ($15.19)—Buy Here!

Neurora Clear Heavy Duty TPU Backpack

A sturdier, upgraded clear bag made from thick TPU material (aka: no cracking, no weird plastic smell). Comfortable straps + roomy compartments = a clear winner. Available in 7 colors.

Neurora Clear Heavy Duty TPU Backpack ($16.99+)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Find it fast:

• Best Backpacks for Kids
• Best Amazon Lunch Boxes & Bags
• Best Water Bottles for School
• Best Binders and Folders
• Best Amazon Notebooks and Journals
• Best Writing Supplies (Pens, Pencils, Highlighters)
• Best Pencil Cases and Pouches
• Best Art and Craft Supplies
• Best Planners and Agendas for Students
• Best Tech for School

Best Backpacks for Kids

Big enough for all 12 “required” folders and the random toy they sneak in.

Backpacks go through it. Bus floors, locker slams, mystery slime situations—we need ones that survive the chaos and still look cute doing it. These highly rated Amazon picks nail the durability-meets-style equation, with padded straps, smart compartments, and just enough room for that “essential” rock they can’t live without.

Best Classic Backpack — JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack

The OG. The legend. The “still going strong after high school, college, and three moves” backpack. With padded straps, a roomy main compartment, and endless color options, it’s the reliable pick that doesn’t try too hard but still delivers. Available in 33 colors and prints.

JanSport SuperBreak One Backpack ($38)—Buy Here!

Best Character Backpack — Simple Modern Kids Backpack

If your kid’s entire personality is Pokémon or Disney, this is the winner. Fun prints, durable zippers, and even matching accessories (sold separately), because coordination is key when you’re 7 and must bring your lucky plush.

Simple Modern Kids Backpack ($39.99)—Buy Here!

Best Budget Backpack — STEAMEDBUN Kids Backpack

Adorable and affordable, this backpack looks like it came straight out of a boutique but costs less than a fast-food family meal. It’s lightweight, water-resistant, and perfectly sized for younger kids who don’t need a giant bag but still demand cuteness at all costs.

STEAMEDBUN Kids Backpack ($19.99+)—Buy Here!

Best Organizational Backpack — Wildkin 15-Inch Kids Backpack

For the kid who packs like they’re going on a three-week vacation. Multiple compartments, water bottle holders, and a size that doesn’t swallow them whole. Bonus: cute prints that don’t scream “office supply store.”

Wildkin 15-Inch Kids Backpack, "Girls" Prints ($31.99)—Buy Here!
Wildkin 15-Inch Kids Backpack, "Boys" Prints ($31.99)—Buy Here!

Best Clear Backpack — CAMTOP Clear Backpack

If the school’s on a “see everything” kick, this bag is the glow-up version of clear. It’s heavy-duty (not flimsy), comfy with padded straps, and makes it easy to spot both homework and that rogue snack wrapper. It also comes in 21 seam and strap color accents.

CAMTOP Clear Backpack ($19.57+)—Buy Here!

Best Amazon Lunch Boxes & Bags

For sandwiches, snacks, and the yogurt tube they’ll forget for a week.

Lunch boxes don’t need to be overachievers; they just need to survive yogurt explosions, keep food cold, and not smell like old string cheese by October. These Amazon favorites hit the sweet spot of durable, cute, and parent-approved.

Best Kids Bento Lunch Box — Skip Hop Bento Lunch Box

Compartment magic = no soggy crossover between fruit and crackers. Plus, the designs are cute enough to distract from whatever questionable veggie you sneak in. 4 designs available.

Skip Hop Bento Lunch Box ($16)—Buy Here!

Best Lunch Bag — Wildkin Two-Compartment Insulated Lunch Bag

Double compartments mean zero squished snacks. Durable, easy to wipe clean, and cute enough that you won’t get the “ew” face. Comes in 21 colors.

Wildkin Two-Compartment Insulated Lunch Bag ($35)—Buy Here!

Best Classic Lunch Box — Bagseri Kids Lunch Box

Reliable, simple, and tough enough to handle both PB&Js and a questionable “crush test” on the playground. Available in 29 patterns.

Bagseri Kids Lunch Box ($14.99)—Buy Here!

Best Lunch Box with Utensils — Jelife Kids Bento Box

All-in-one and organized (because no one has time for last-minute spoon hunts at 7 a.m.).  Available in 7 colors.

Jelife Kids Lunch Bento Box ($9.49)—Buy Here!

Best Freezable Lunch Box — PackIt Freezable Playtime Lunch Box

The built-in gel lining keeps you from having to stay on top of extra ice packs, and your kid’s string cheese won’t turn into string soup by noon. Available in 5 designs.

PackIt Freezable Playtime Lunch Box ($23.99+)—Buy Here!

Best Water Bottles for School

You just know the public water fountain is a germ circus.

Hydration is great, but leaks, impossible-to-clean lids, and funky smells? Not so much. These top-rated Amazon picks are spill-proof, easy to wash, and sized to fit in backpack side pockets (because that’s a non-negotiable).

Best Stainless Steel Bottle — THERMOS Funtainer Water Bottle (12oz)

A kid classic: keeps drinks cold for hours, has a pop-up straw, and is practically indestructible. Plus, it comes in all the fun designs. Available in 30 colors and designs.

THERMOS Funtainer Water Bottle with Straw, 12oz ($16.99)—Buy Here!

Best Budget Bottle — ZULU Torque Kids Water Bottle (16oz)

Lightweight, affordable, and shatter-resistant—this one’s perfect for kids who treat water bottles like dodgeballs. Available in 5 color combinations and packs of 1 or 2.

ZULU Torque Kids Water Bottle, 16oz ($10.99+)—Buy Here!

Best Sleek Bottle — Ello Emma 14oz Stainless Water Bottle

A little more grown-up looking (but still kid-friendly), this stainless bottle keeps water cold and slides easily into smaller backpack pockets. Available in 6 colors.

Ello Emma 14oz Stainless Water Bottle ($17.99)—Buy Here!

Best Versatile Bottle — OLDLEY Kids Water Bottle + 2 Lids

Two lid styles for two moods. The straw lid for school and the chug lid for sports or playground time make this one super versatile. Available in 21 colors and 2 sizes (12oz and 17oz).

OLDLEY Kids Water Bottle + 2 Lids ($15.99)—Buy Here!

Best Insulated Kids Bottle — Yeti Rambler Jr. 12 oz Kids Bottle

This is the water bottle equivalent of a tank—it survives drops, bus floors, and being used as a drum. Drinks stay cold forever, and you won’t be replacing it mid-year (or next year, or maybe ever). Available in 31 colors.

Yeti Rambler Jr. 12 oz Kids Bottle ($28)—Buy Here!

Best Binders and Folders

For when “just shove it in your backpack” stops working.

Nobody’s excited about binders and folders, but they’re the difference between “organized student” and “crumpled disaster.” These highly-rated Amazon picks are sturdy, affordable, and come in colors that feel a little less “spelling-test-dread”.

Best Binder Multi-Pack — Enday 3-Ring Binders, 6-Pack

Perfect for divvying up subjects or just hoarding extra paper. Sturdy rings, decent colors, and cheap enough that you don’t panic when one mysteriously vanishes.

Enday 3-Ring Binders, 6pk ($20.71)—Buy Here!

Best Zipper Binder — Case-it Mighty Zip Tab Binder

A binder and a zippered pouch in one, because some kids need next-level organization (or just like to shove everything into one mega-folder). Bonus: built-in handle for mini briefcase convenience.

Case-it Mighty Zip Tab School Zipper Binder ($22.09)—Buy Here!

Best Heavy-Duty Folders — Amazon Basics 12-Pack Folders

Simple, inexpensive, and strong enough to survive the dreaded backpack bottom. Plus, 12 in a pack means you can replace them mid-year when one looks like it went through battle. Also available in a 6-pack.

Amazon Basics Heavy Duty Folders, 12pk ($11.50)—Buy Here!

Best Cute Patterned Folder — New Generation 2-Pocket Folder Pack

These folders said, “I’m not like other school supplies.” With bold prints and a shiny laminated finish, they’ll survive the bottom-of-the-backpack apocalypse and look good doing it. Six in a pack means there’s one for every subject. 3 patterns available.

New Generation 2-Pocket Folder 6-Pack ($13.97)—Buy Here!

Best Amazon Notebooks and Journals

For class notes, doodles, and “dear diary, math was rude again.

Whether it’s for serious studying or sketching an army of cats, a solid notebook is non-negotiable. These top-rated Amazon picks can handle backpack chaos, juice box accidents, and anything else school throws at them—while still being totally ready to use.

Best Heavy-Duty Notebooks — Five Star Spiral Notebook + Study App, 6-Pack

These Mead spirals are built like little tanks: sturdy covers and thick pages that laugh in the face of lunchbox crumbs and locker scrapes. Great for kids who don’t treat their notebooks gently (because they shouldn’t have to).

Five Star Spiral Notebook + Study App, 6-Pack ($20.78)—Buy Here!

Best Cute/Patterned Notebooks — Yoobi Wide Ruled Spiral Notebook 3-Pack

Fun covers and durable spirals—these notebooks make note-taking slightly more fun. Plus, every Yoobi purchase helps give back to schools, so you get bonus good vibes.

Yoobi Wide Ruled Spiral Notebook 3-Pack ($16.99)—Buy Here!

Best Composition Notebooks — Rosonde Wide Ruled Composition Notebooks, 5-Pack

Classic marble covers, but with sturdier covers, bright colors, and smooth pages that don’t tear when you write too hard. It’s the “just buy it in bulk and don’t worry about it” choice.

Rosmonde Wide Ruled Composition Notebooks, 5-Pack ($16.99)—Buy Here!

Best Character Notebook — Innovative Designs Sonic Tab Journal

Icon status unlocked. Sonic brings the retro-cool factor, with durable pages and a bright blue cover that makes math notes look faster.

Innovative Designs Sonic Tab Journal ($8.90)—Buy Here!

Best Budget Multi-Pack — Meade Spiral Notebook, 12-Pack

Need bulk without burnout? This value pack gives you color variety and enough notebooks for every subject (or future notes to their BFF), all at a price that doesn’t make you cringe. Also available in 6- and 24-packs.

Meade Spiral Notebook, 12-Pack ($18.62)—Buy Here!

Best Writing Supplies (Pens, Pencils, Highlighters)

Since the one pencil they own is always unsharpened.

If a pencil isn’t breaking, disappearing, or mysteriously walking off, it’s a miracle. These Amazon-approved picks—mechanical pencils, smooth gel pens, and smear-proof highlighters—are here to fix any writing flubs this year.

Best Mechanical Pencils — BIC Xtra Strong Mechanical Pencils, 24-Pack

No sharpener, no problem. These break-resistant leads and grippy barrels make homework way more comfortable. Bonus: 24 in a pack means they might last until winter break.

BIC Xtra Strong Mechanical Pencils, 24-Pack ($4.47)—Buy Here!

Best Standard Pencils — Ticonderoga Pre-Sharpened #2 Pencils, 10-Pack

The gold standard (literally). These pencils are smooth, reliable, and ready to go—no emergency sharpener hunt required the night before school starts.

Ticonderoga Pre-Sharpened #2 Pencils, 10-Pack ($3.99)—Buy Here!

Best Gel Pens — Papermate InkJoy Gel Pens, 14-Pack

Vibrant colors, smooth ink, and none of that annoying smudging. Perfect for kids who think color-coding is a personality trait (and we agree).

Papermate InkJoy, 14-Pack ($12.85)—Buy Here!

Best Ballpoint Pens — Pilot Precise V5 RT Pens, 7-Pack

The “I’m taking real notes” pen. Clean lines, fast-drying ink, and just fancy enough that you might want to steal them for yourself.

Pilot Precise V5 RT Pens, 7-Pack ($13.65)—Buy Here!

Best Highlighters — Sharpie Retractable Highlighters, 8-Pack

The classic, but better—no caps to lose, smooth ink flow, and vibrant colors that make notes stand out (without bleeding through the page because we really, really don't have time for another mess).

Sharpie Retractable Highlighters, 8-Pack ($9.51)—Buy Here!

Best Pencil Cases and Pouches

Loose pens at the bottom of a backpack is just…chaos.

A good pencil case is basically damage control for school supplies. These highly-rated picks are sturdy, spacious, and cute enough that kids might actually put their pens back where they belong. (Hope and dreams sold separately.)

ZIPIT Pencil Pouch

This face-shaped case turns everyday school supplies into something back-to-school-worthy. With its roomy interior and crazy-durable zipper, it’s easily one of the best Amazon pencil cases for school that kids actually want to use. Comes in 14 styles.

ZIPIT Pencil Pouch ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Sooez Pencil Box with Personalized Sticker

Customize it with their name, crack it open, and say goodbye to lost crayons forever. This sturdy, clear pencil case is all about keeping it simple and secure. It’s easily on the list of the best Amazon pencil cases for school for parents who want everything visible and labeled before the first lost marker meltdowns. Available in 8 colors.

Sooez Pencil Box with Personalized Sticker ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Best High-Capacity Pencil Case — Sooez Original Pencil Pouch

For the kid who needs every pen, marker, and highlighter at all times (plus maybe a snack). This roomy pouch is like a backpack within a backpack, keeping the chaos neatly zipped away. Available in 14 colors.

Sooez Original Pencil Pouch ($9.99)—Buy Here!

Best Fun 3D Pencil Case — MCWTH 3D Pencil Case

For kids who love a statement piece. This case is durable, has plenty of space, and doubles as a conversation starter.

MCWTH 3D Pencil Case ($14.88)—Buy Here!

Best Art and Craft Supplies

AKA, the “Mom, I need this by tomorrow” panic moment.

You know the drill—last-minute projects, missing glue, and a glitter explosion waiting to happen. These Amazon favorites are the staples worth stashing now so you’re not rage-shopping at 10 PM.

Best Washable Markers — Crayola Super Tips, 100-Count

The MVPs of any art stash. They’re vibrant, washable (thank. you.), and come in enough colors to keep even the pickiest kid happy.

Crayola Super Tips, 100-Count ($15.97)—Buy Here!

Best Glue Sticks — Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, 30-Pack

Goes on purple, dries clear like magic for macaroni art. A 30-pack means you won’t run out mid-project…probably.

Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, 30-Pack ($6.49)—Buy Here!

Best Construction Paper — Crayola Construction Paper, 480-Count, 2-Pack

Every color under the sun, with enough sheets to survive an entire school year of “creative” assignments.

Crayola Construction Paper 480‑Count, 2‑Pack ($16.47)—Buy Here!

Best Safety Scissors—LIVINGO 5" Kids School Scissors, 3-Pack

Sharp enough to cut paper, not fingers. Bonus: the comfy handles make them easy for little hands to use all by themselves (supervised, of course).

LIVINGO 5" Kids School Scissors, 3-Pack ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Best Washable Paints — Crayola Kids Painting Set

The finger-painting starter pack every parent secretly fears a little, but every kid loves. Non-toxic, fully washable, and comes with paint cups and brushes so you can keep the mess under control.

Crayola Kids Painting Set ($29.99)—Buy Here!

Best Planners and Agendas for Students

For homework tracking, big project planning, and remembering Spirit Day before 7 AM.

Keeping track of assignments, school events, and random dress-up days can feel like a team sport. These top-rated Amazon planners are kid-friendly, durable, and simple enough that even the youngest students can use them.

Best Elementary Student Planner — SUNEE Elementary Student Planner 2025–2026

Big, clear layouts with plenty of space for kids to jot down homework, reminders, or secret Pokémon rankings. Bonus: the 3-hole punch means it fits perfectly into binders.

SUNEE Elementary Student Planner 2025–2026 ($17.99)—Buy Here!

Best Academic Weekly + Monthly Planner — Indeme Student Planner 2025–2026

This one has colorful tabs, monthly + weekly layouts, and stickers (because who doesn’t love stickers?). It’s big enough to track all the tests, practices, and random school events without feeling overwhelming.

Indeme Student Planner 2025–2026 ($6.99)—Buy Here!

Best Fun & Interactive Planner—National Geographic Weird But True! Daily Planner

Part planner, part “fun fact” book. Kids get a dose of random, weird trivia while keeping their schedules on track. It’s sneaky learning at its best.

National Geographic Weird But True! Daily Planner ($12.99)—Buy Here!

Best Tech for School

Even kindergarteners need headphones now—what a time to be alive.

Forget the basic gear—this is the good stuff. Think headphones that block out little brother noises, chargers that survive the bottom of a backpack, and tablets that don’t glitch during Google Docs meltdowns. These top-rated Amazon tech picks are basically the difference between “Mom, it won’t load!” and “Done with homework already.”

Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones — iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones

Built for school Zooms and road trips alike, these headphones manage to be cute and sturdy, with a noise limit so they won’t accidentally blow out eardrums when the class video starts blaring.

iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones ($39.99+)—Buy Here!

Best Affordable Tablet — Fire HD Kids Tablet

Sturdy case, parental controls, and the ability to survive “oops” moments (a.k.a. being dropped from the bunk bed). It’s kid-proof tech without the premium price tag.

Fire HD Kids Tablet ($189.99)—Buy Here!

Best Portable Charger — VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables

Finally, a power bank that doesn’t make you dig through the “mystery cord” drawer. This compact charger has built-in cables, a foldable wall plug (hello, no extra clutter), and enough color options to match their mood and their backpack. Available in 9 colors.

VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables ($21.84+)—Buy Here!

Best Study Helper — Echo Dot Kids

Alexa is the new homework buddy. Set timers, blast focus music, or ask her how to spell “photosynthesis” for the 900th time.

Echo Dot Kids ($59.99)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Getting my kids out the door in the morning feels like choreographing a Broadway dance number—one in which the dancers are klutzy and trip over one another. Maybe we’re just not morning people, but it can feel insurmountable to coordinate four people’s early a.m. routines. No matter how organized my partner and I try to be as stage managers, I feel like a failure when I hear my older daughter say, “Where are my shoes?” just as the school bus rounds the corner. Even worse are the mornings when shoes, backpack, and lunch all go missing at once.

With my younger child starting preschool this fall, all of us will need to leave the house at the same time. So I’m determined to understand why we’re having trouble and strategize some solutions. As a librarian, I know that all learning requires self-reflection and rehearsal. That’s why we’ve been practicing our routine this summer during those mornings when we have timed zoo tickets or playdates. It’s easier to adapt our habits when the stakes are lower and we don’t risk being late to work and school.

In a professional training I attended with learning specialist Craig Selinger, the C.E.O. of Brooklyn Letters and Themba Tutoring, I learned that leaving the house actually requires well-developed executive functioning skills—something we probably don’t assume when watching our kids aimlessly ping-pong around. When you’re tired, it can be even more challenging to accomplish a step-by-step task while filtering out distractions and managing your emotions. You must also use working memory, drawing from past experiences to analyze what is needed in the present (Did your sneakers feel too tight yesterday? Today you need to wear the other shoes!)

RELATED: Here’s Why I Don’t Tell My Kid to Have a Good Day—and What I Say Instead

According to Harvard University’s Center for the Developing Child, executive function is like “…an air traffic control system at a busy airport” managing “dozens of planes on multiple runways.” (This sounds exactly like the mental overload I experience almost every morning.)

Knowing all of this, I try to think of myself as an educator in the mornings, not a cranky mom. It’s worth being intentional and patient as I help my daughter build her executive functioning skills. (I’ll try to remember that the next time I lose my cool!) Here’s what my family has tried:

Assign Morning Roles

Are the adults doing all of the heavy lifting? Can the older kids do jobs that help the whole family, not just themselves? My 10-year-old fills all the family water bottles. The 3-year-old can turn off the lights or press the elevator buttons. When a kid knows the family is depending on her, she might actually pull herself together more efficiently.

Give Kids “Cues” with Certain Signal Phrases

When I ask my toddler, “Do you have your puppy?” she knows that I’m really serious about leaving the house. The way an actor will listen for a cue, a kid who doesn’t have a great sense of time or urgency will understand that certain lines or actions signal departure. I also turn off lights when my toddler has trouble grasping that it’s really time to go.

Post “Obvious” Reminders on the Door

I’m a fan of large self-stick Post-its, which I often put on the door with our daily routines and reminders. When we go to the beach, the list reads: “Towels, sand toys, sunscreen.” When school starts, it will be “backpack, lunch, water, shoes.” Younger children aren’t always systematic thinkers, especially first thing in the morning. Their executive functioning skills need constant support. I get exhausted issuing the same reminders, so I’m going to use my lists more this fall.

Prioritize/Catastrophize

This summer, on nights before a trip, I’ve asked my older daughter to identify the item she would be most disappointed to leave behind. Can she imagine herself getting to the beach and not having sunscreen or swimwear? Water can be easily purchased, but a bathing suit can’t.

We are not, in fact, very good at packing entire bags the night before when our nighttime routine feels cumbersome already. But now we prioritize the essential items and hang them from a bag on the doorknob, or even block the doorway with the bag so it can’t be ignored.

Clocks, Timers

The other day I realized that my partner and I get grumpy about our kid’s time management skills, but we’ve never given her a clock. Everyone uses clocks on their phones now, so we’re thinking of a digital wristwatch (rather than a distracting Apple watch) for the fall. We will also set timers on our phones to indicate that we’re 20, 10, and 5 minutes away from departure.

With any luck, these rehearsals will prepare us for a smash hit in September.

Jess deCourcy Hinds (jessdecourcyhinds.com) is a writer and librarian. Sign up for her free quarterly newsletter, I’m an Open Book: On Love, Libraries and Life-building.