This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Seattle’s Best Coffee. All opinions are 100% mine.

The start of the school year is right around the corner. I know that can be a mixed bag of emotions for a lot of parents. “Yay! The kids are out of the house” to “how has another summer passed already?”

The new school year means schedules, fall sports and adjusting to new routines.

One of the things I am struggling most with as we head into the new school year is making sure I am present for quality time with my children. I’m so use to having them around the house and I feel really connected to them. I’m excited for them and their new school year, but I will miss them too. Missing them does not mean I have to miss my connection with them.

As we head into the school year, I want to be really intentional about my time with my children and our time as a family.

The school year brings on new routines and if I am not careful, there is a lot of running around and reacting and we are robbed of our time together.

I want to be intentional in my time with my children and with my family. This should be a goal of every parent. There are a lot of ways to accomplish this, but one of the most important will be in how you welcome the day.

If I am being honest, I am not a morning person. I have spent much of motherhood with my children as an alarm clock. This school year, I am taking back control.  I am anchoring my day by filling up my cup first.

One of my favorite, and one of the simplest ways for me to do that is with quiet and a great cup of coffee.

It is a little bit like the airplane scenario where you secure your own mask before securing another’s mask. Here are three simple tips to rock the start of the school year.

DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN THE NIGHT BEFORE

One of the easiest ways to start the day on the right foot, is to create a nightly routine that includes accomplishing as many tasks as possible the night before.

Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, pack lunches, go over paperwork.

Grab these free printable lunch notes to make them feel extra special at lunch. Just one of the awesome ideas from Best Day List.

A few well-thought out adjustments to your nightly routine will start your day off right.

WAKE UP BEFORE YOUR KIDS

Waking up to the requests of everyone else before you even had your first cup of coffee is a recipe for disaster. Download this coupon, grab Seattle’s Best Coffee® so you have something to look forward to when your alarm goes off.

Waking up to a cup of coffee and quiet does the soul good. Create a morning routine for yourself that you love and that your crave. Be so filled up, that when the kids wake you are spilling over with love, attention and intention.

You will be the calm and steady guide that will create a much more enjoyable morning for you and your family.

CREATE, TEACH & PRACTICE YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Children are empowered when they know what, when and how to do what they are suppose to do.

Figure out what your children need to do, teach them how to do it and practice it!

For example, if the expectation is that the children get dressed in the clothes that were laid out the night before, put their dirty clothes in the hamper and make their bed before coming out of their room; teach them! Practice it.

If they have to eat breakfast, clear their dishes and brush their teeth. Teach them and practice it.

I learned quickly as an elementary school teacher that kids need clear instructions and practice. Otherwise we find ourselves frustrated by expectations they are unaware of.

NOW ENJOY YOUR TIME TOGETHER

Your kids woke up to a smiling fulfilled mother. They know exactly what, when and how to do what they are suppose to do.

Now, with your second cup of coffee in hand, you can chat about their day. Now there is time and energy for snuggles and connection.

Looking for more ways to make the school year special? Check on the Best Day List here.

Congrats! You just got intentional about parenting and it is paying off.