Make lunches ahead. If you’re pressed for time in the morning — and who isn’t?! — Assemble lunches and store in the fridge overnight. Mom could make lunches while Dad gets the kids in bed.

Pack the night before. Add backpack filling to the bedtime rituals of PJ donning and teeth brushing to avoid the dreaded last-minute morning rush to find papers to be signed, cash for field trips, mislaid homework and that ever-elusive library book. You’ll be teaching organization skills — no lecture required.

Give kids clothing options. While they get dressed for bed, ask which of two outfits they would like to wear the next day. Even though you pick out the options, they are less likely to balk if offered a choice and can get ready more quickly the next morning.

Plan easy breakfasts. If they love eggs but there’s no time to cook, keep hard-boiled eggs on hand. If they hate eggs, simply avoid the argument. Give them instant oatmeal instead. Older kids can pitch in by helping themselves and their younger siblings.

Set a time and place for homework. If you schedule homework immediately after school, allot 20 or 30 minutes prior for some down time and a snack to enable kids to concentrate better. The kitchen table might be an optimal spot for younger children to get supervision and tutoring while dinner cooks.

Create and post a family calendar. Fill in all regular activities — lessons, practices, church functions, homework time and so on. Don’t forget to include some family hang-out time. This is a good opportunity to assess your family’s busyness. Too many activities make for additional stress.