What are Meredith Masony's signature techniques for managing busy school mornings?

I talk about this a lot, because those before-school hours are no joke. Here are some of the big things I rely on:

• Prep as much as possible the night before: clothes laid out, backpacks by the door, lunches and water bottles ready to grab.
• Visual routines and checklists for the kids, especially helpful for my autistic son and sensory needs.
• Earlier alarms than I think I “need,” because transitions always take longer.
• Simple, repeatable breakfasts instead of reinventing the wheel.
• Letting go of perfection and choosing battles: if the socks don’t match but we get out the door on time, that’s a win.

What’s the hardest part of your school mornings right now?