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Does the morning routine in your household include temper tantrums and a mad rush to get out of the house? Follow this plan to keep everyone on track.

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  Step 1

  Make sure kids have enough time to wind down at the end of the day so they can get a good night’s rest. Turn off the TV, computer games, and music early in the evening so they fall asleep more easily.

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  Step 2

  Choose outfits the night before and set it aside, and pack homework and supplies in schoolbags and leave them by the door. This will save time in the morning.

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  Step 3

  Let older kids set the alarm clock so it becomes a natural habit. Younger kids can be woken up with a gentle nudge from parents.

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  Step 4

  Schedule time for breakfast. A healthy morning meal can stimulate learning and make kids more attentive in class.

• Tip

  Include a mix of complex carbs, like whole grain toast or cereal, and protein, like eggs.

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  Step 5

  Keep the television turned off and leave toys out of the morning routine. Fewer distractions will keep everyone on track.

• Fact

  Kids ages six to nine need about 10 hours of sleep a night, while kids ages 10 to 12 need just a little over nine hours per night.