Over half of parents say mornings are the most stressful part of the day

This back-to-school season, families are getting ready for the inevitable shift in morning routines after over a year of being flexible with home, hybrid and in-person study. 

Whether preparing to return to in-person school with safety precautions or continuing to learn remotely, families might feel a bit overwhelmed at the idea of having an everyday routine again. 

A survey of 2,000 American parents of school-aged kids found that three out of four (76%) were originally excited to learn from home last March but became tired of it six weeks into virtual learning. 

In fact, during the pandemic, many kids (72%) treated at-home schooling like a summer vacation.

And while 84% of parents were equally as excited to have their kids learn from home so they could spend more time together, 68% of parents said remote learning became increasingly difficult for them as time went on.

Commissioned by Amazon Devices and conducted by OnePoll, the study found nearly two in three families (63%) have lost any sense of a morning routine during the pandemic.

Most parents (81%) are ready to have their kids go back to class, even if it means having to change their morning routine all over again.

More than half of parents (58%) agreed school day mornings are the most stressful part of their day. Some daily stressors for parents include getting their kids out of bed (42%), waking themselves up (39%), making breakfast (33%), and getting their kids dressed (25%).

Fifty-nine percent of parents struggle to wake their kids up for school in the morning. Most parents (87%) have two or more alarms set to wake their entire household in the morning.

To get their kid out of bed on time, parents will turn on the lights (46%), sound alarms (39%), open the curtains (33%), play music (29%), or send a pet into the kid’s room (29%).

“We know that everyone’s morning routine looks a little different, whether starting the school day in the classroom or at home. Families can create a routine that saves them time and helps them more seamlessly conquer their morning to-do list before a hectic school day or their evening activities after a long day of learning,” said Kunal Patel, head of product of Alexa Proactive and Routines.

Sixty percent of all parents struggle to balance their kid’s morning routine with their own. 

In fact, 57% percent of parents recalled being late to work to get their kids ready for school in the mornings. If parents had more time in the morning, they would meditate (33%), work out (32%), sleep in (32%), or watch morning television (32%).

In the morning, kids frequently forget to brush their teeth (39%), comb their hair (39%), grab their homework (31%), and remember their backpack (29%).

Sixty-four percent of parents wish they had something to help them make morning routines easier on school days. More than a third of all parents (33%) agree technology can be a helpful tool for morning routines.

“Introducing small changes and helpful tools, like technology, to everyday routines will help families start the school year strong and stay on track for months to come,” added Patel. “Everyone deserves a little time back in their day, so start planning now to establish an efficient routine in your own home before the back-to-school pandemonium begins!” 

WHAT DO PARENTS STRUGGLE WITH DURING THE MORNINGS?

1. Getting my kid out of bed - 42%
2. Waking up - 39%
3. Making breakfast - 33%
4. Setting out clothes/getting my kid dressed -25%
5. Preparing lunch for my kid - 24%
6. Remembering everything I need when leaving the house - 24%
7. Showering - 20%
8. Brushing teeth/flossing - 19%
9. Doing chores (dishes, laundry, disposing of trash, etc.) - 18%
10. Getting my kid to school on-time - 17%