Fair warning: there's a truth explosion inbound. This idea came to be because I was tired of the sound of my own voice. Every parent has been there, asking, then telling, their child for the eleventh time, to put their shoes on. I would love to tell you that it came to me another way—in an ultra-organized Mom epiphany—but nope. I was just tired of the sound of my own voice. It makes me laugh when I think of it now, since I always thought I had a pretty nice voice.

To make it a little better in the short term, I made a quick list below the clock on the wall in our kitchen, near where we eat breakfast everyday. It was on the back of a homework sheet, scribbled in marker: 8:00 - Eat breakfast. 8:15 - Go upstairs and get dressed. (Check weather.) 8:30 - Get your shoes and jacket on. 8:45 - Head out to the bus. Then, when I actually got them out the door to school, thought about it a little more. I realized this idea would be even better for my younger son (and therefore more helpful for me!) if it were represented on an actual clock so it lowered the barrier of learning with a visual tool.

In this moment, the clock assistant was born. I drew a clock on the sheet that looked like the one on the wall and added the times on my list to match the hands on the clock. Many friends have told me they've adopted this tip to much success, which makes me so happy, and I was thrilled when Scotch™ wanted to use my idea for their annual Back To School campaign to help families through the transition and encourage independence.

Use one or more clock assistant worksheet [click through for a FREE PRINTABLE] below any clock in your home to help promote independence and get out the door easily and peacefully.

Gather your Scotch™ Precision Ultra Edge Titanium Scissors and print a few of the free printable we made for you, or customize your own.

Use Scotch® Expressions Washi Tape for hands on clock and as a colorful visual indicator for each child in their favorite color and Scotch® Wall-Safe Tape or Scotch™ Double-Sided Tape to hang up wherever you need a little help encouraging your kids to be ready.

I use one in the kids' bedrooms and two in the kitchen area — one for each kiddo, made in their favorite color. Check out the Scotch website for more ideas from myself and some ideas for the younger set from Faux Martha!