Kristen Bell understands the weekday morning struggle

Anyone who has ever tried to wrangle a preschooler out of their pajamas, to the breakfast table, then into their school clothes and backpack at seven o’clock in the morning knows exactly what Bell is talking about. She says some days are better than others, but it’s hard to know what level of kid-induced chaos you’re gonna wake up to on a weekday.

“It depends on their emotional stability, it depends on their attitude toward each other, toward life,” Bell told POPSUGAR. “It depends on their developmental stage.”

Luckily, Bell has got some backup. She’s been open about how she and her husband, Dax Shepard, practice a tag team approach to parenting , and sometimes, Bell gets a chance to tap out of the morning routine. Unfortunately, Shepherd’s later schedule means it doesn’t happen as often as she would necessarily like.

“I don’t want to say that I do more mornings than he does, but if you were to check the records, that’s probably what you’d find,” she told POPSUGAR.

If, like Bell, you’re really not feeling mornings with the kids, there are a few things you can try to make things a little easier on yourself, mama.

1. Change the conversation

Instead of saying “hurry up” or “get in the car, right now,” try to mix up your vocabulary a bit.

If there’s a need for speed, remind the kids that it’s time for “fast feet” or that you’re racing to the car.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might consider sharing that with your kids. Let them know that mama’s got a lot to do this morning and that it would be a huge help if they could make sure their water bottle is in their backpack.

2. Make breakfast ahead of time

If cereal isn’t your jam or your kids need something hotter, and more substantial in the morning, cooking up breakfast can be a major hurdle on hectic mornings.

Check out these Pinterest perfect make-ahead morning meals , like breakfast enchiladas or egg muffins, and make mornings a bit easier on yourself, mama.

3. Bring some Montessori into your mornings

Help your kids take control of their AM destiny by bringing some limited choices (like clothing) into the morning routine and allowing for natural consequences (like having to settle for an apple in the van because they missed breakfast) but also allowing for fun with mom.

“Try doing something simple, with clear boundaries, such as reading two books before it’s time to start the morning routine. If they’re ready early, you can spend more time together, which is also a great natural incentive,” writes Montessori expert Christina Clemer .

Here’s to a less stressful AM routine for Kristen Bell and the rest of us mamas. Just because it feels miserable today doesn’t mean it will be tomorrow. There is hope, Kristen!