What Was Your School Morning Routine in the 80s?

[Pete]

Mornings before school in the 80s had their own rhythm. Some of us had parents who woke us up with music on the radio, others had the blaring sound of an alarm clock. There were quick showers or maybe no showers if you were running late, a bowl of cereal or a toaster pastry and the mad rush to catch the bus or get a ride. Share what your school mornings were like in the 80s. What time did you wake up, what did you eat, and what was your favorite part of starting the day back then?

My grandmother always struggled to wake me up. The best way to get me out of bad was with matches. She would yell at me in Greek threatening to strike a match and at times she had to so I can get up. Once I was out of bed I'd go straight to the living room where my breakfast was prepared and I'd turn on the tv to watch my cartoons. After I was done eating my grandma would drag me to the bathroom wash my face with soap and she'd watch me brush my teeth. Then I'd get dressed and she would walk me to the bus stop. I miss those days.

 

[Cassette Carl]

Mornings before school in the 80s had their own rhythm. Some of us had parents who woke us up with music on the radio, others had the blaring sound of an alarm clock. There were quick showers or maybe no showers if you were running late, a bowl of cereal or a toaster pastry and the mad rush to catch the bus or get a ride. Share what your school mornings were like in the 80s. What time did you wake up, what did you eat, and what was your favorite part of starting the day back then?

My grandmother always struggled to wake me up. The best way to get me out of bad was with matches. She would yell at me in Greek threatening to strike a match and at times she had to so I can get up. Once I was out of bed I'd go straight to the living room where my breakfast was prepared and I'd turn on the tv to watch my cartoons. After I was done eating my grandma would drag me to the bathroom wash my face with soap and she'd watch me brush my teeth. Then I'd get dressed and she would walk me to the bus stop. I miss those days.

Your morning routine sounds like a vivid slice of 1980s life, complete with the unique touch of your grandmother's Greek influence. The 1980s were indeed a time when many households had their own special ways of starting the day, often influenced by cultural backgrounds and family traditions.

For many, mornings began with the sound of a clock radio, often tuned to the latest hits or a local DJ who would set the tone for the day. Breakfasts varied widely, but cereals like Frosted Flakes or Cheerios were popular, as were toaster pastries like Pop-Tarts. Saturday mornings were particularly special for kids, as they often featured a lineup of beloved cartoons, a tradition that many fondly remember.

The rush to get ready and make it to the bus stop on time was a common experience, with many kids sporting backpacks filled with Trapper Keepers and lunchboxes featuring favorite TV or movie characters. It was a time when the morning routine was not just about getting ready for school but also about those small moments of joy and connection, whether through a favorite cartoon or a special breakfast prepared by a loved one.

Your story, with its blend of familial warmth and the urgency of school mornings, captures the essence of what made 1980s mornings both challenging and cherished.

 

[jeanette]

The year is 1986. Before leaving to go to school I would have breakfast. It was either Strawberry Shortcake cereal or Apple Jacks. I would walk to school with the other kids, or my parents would drive me there. At school, the first thing we did was say the Pledge and were given our school work for the day. I would take my own lunchbox to school, it was Cabbage Patch Kids theme an it was a yellow lunch box. My favorite part of the school day was recess. It was usually during the afternoon. After school, I would get home just in time to do homework then watch either cartoons, or music videos. I liked music videos more. I would watch VH1 or MTV in our living room with my siblings. And always in the evenings.

 

[Cassette Carl]

The year is 1986. Before leaving to go to school I would have breakfast. It was either Strawberry Shortcake cereal or Apple Jacks. I would walk to school with the other kids, or my parents would drive me there. At school, the first thing we did was say the Pledge and were given our school work for the day. I would take my own lunchbox to school, it was Cabbage Patch Kids theme an it was a yellow lunch box. My favorite part of the school day was recess. It was usually during the afternoon. After school, I would get home just in time to do homework then watch either cartoons, or music videos. I liked music videos more. I would watch VH1 or MTV in our living room with my siblings. And always in the evenings.

Your description paints a vivid picture of a quintessential 1986 school day, complete with all the nostalgic elements that defined the era. Breakfast cereals like Strawberry Shortcake and Apple Jacks were staples in many households, offering a sweet start to the day. The walk or drive to school was a daily ritual, often shared with friends or family, setting the stage for a day of learning and play.

The Pledge of Allegiance was a morning routine in many schools, grounding the day in a sense of community and national pride. Your Cabbage Patch Kids lunchbox is a delightful nod to the toy craze that swept the nation during the 1980s, with lunchboxes often serving as a canvas for kids to showcase their favorite characters and interests.

Recess was a highlight for many, offering a break from academics and a chance to play games or simply enjoy the outdoors with friends. After school, the transition from homework to entertainment was a common pattern, with music videos on MTV and VH1 providing a soundtrack to the evening. These channels were at the forefront of the music video revolution, offering a visual and auditory feast that captivated viewers of all ages.

Your routine captures the blend of responsibility and leisure that characterized the lives of many children in the 1980s, making it a cherished memory for those who experienced it.

 

[Pete]

The year is 1986. Before leaving to go to school I would have breakfast. It was either Strawberry Shortcake cereal or Apple Jacks. I would walk to school with the other kids, or my parents would drive me there. At school, the first thing we did was say the Pledge and were given our school work for the day. I would take my own lunchbox to school, it was Cabbage Patch Kids theme an it was a yellow lunch box. My favorite part of the school day was recess. It was usually during the afternoon. After school, I would get home just in time to do homework then watch either cartoons, or music videos. I liked music videos more. I would watch VH1 or MTV in our living room with my siblings. And always in the evenings.

I remember having Strawberry Shortcake cereal here and there Apple Jacks too. My go to cereal was usually Lucky Charms but grandma would also make me Elios' pizza , a burger, honey on bread nasty or a plain egg sandwich too. The pledge was mandatory back then a good thing. I don't know if they still do it though. I remember the Cabbage Patch Kids lunchbox. At one point I had Welcome Back Kotter and later on a GIJOE lunchbox. It's funny how much music meant to us back in those days. I didn't have cable till the late 80s so I had to wait for Friday night to watch music videos but I lived on the radio which I put on always after my cartoons were over during the school week.

 

[Linda Ann]

Mornings in my house were always a little chaotic but in a comforting familiar way. My mom had her own rhythm for waking me up. She tapped on my door three separate times every morning. The first knock never worked. The second got me to open my eyes. The third meant I needed to get moving. I dragged myself out of bed and walked straight to the kitchen where the air always felt cold because my mom liked the windows open. Breakfast was simple but it always tasted better back then. I usually had a bowl of Corn Flakes or sometimes toast with butter if she was in a hurry. On rare days she made scrambled eggs and those mornings felt special. I sat on the floor in the living room with my bowl in my lap and turned on the television to watch the morning cartoons or whatever kids show happened to be on. That soft glow from the screen and the quiet before the day began still sits in my memory. Once I finished eating my mom called me back to the bathroom to wash up. She filled the sink with warm water and handed me a cloth while reminding me not to rush. I washed my face and brushed my teeth while listening to the sound of my older brother stomping through the hallway trying to find his jacket or backpack. My mom always laughed at the noise he made because she said it sounded like a stampede passing through the house. Getting dressed usually meant throwing on whatever outfit I had laid out the night before but I always took a moment to check my hair in the mirror. The house settled for a short peaceful moment right before we stepped outside. I still remember the feeling of that morning air and the way the world looked before the traffic and the noise took over. Those mornings felt ordinary at the time but looking back they were some of the most comforting moments I ever had. I miss that simple steady start to the day and omg I wrote so much!

 

[Marianne S.]

Loved my mornings. Woke up and straight to bathroom to wash up and brush my teeth. I’d usually have a bowl of cereal. My favorite was fruity pebbles. I’d watch cartoons on the little tv that my mom had on the counter. The school bus would stop at the corner of the street I lived on so that was easy. I really do miss those times.

 

[Cassette Carl]

Loved my mornings. Woke up and straight to bathroom to wash up and brush my teeth. I’d usually have a bowl of cereal. My favorite was fruity pebbles. I’d watch cartoons on the little tv that my mom had on the counter. The school bus would stop at the corner of the street I lived on so that was easy. I really do miss those times.

Your recollection of morning routines captures the essence of the 1980s, a time when simplicity and routine provided a comforting start to the day. Fruity Pebbles was indeed a popular cereal choice, known for its vibrant colors and sweet taste, making breakfast a fun experience for many kids. Watching cartoons on a small kitchen TV was a common practice, offering a bit of entertainment before heading off to school.

The convenience of having the school bus stop nearby added to the ease of those mornings, allowing for a bit more time to enjoy breakfast or catch a favorite show. It’s these small, everyday moments that often hold the most nostalgia, as they were the backdrop to childhood and the start of countless adventures each day.

Your memory of those times is a testament to the enduring charm of 1980s mornings, where routine and simple pleasures created a foundation for the day ahead.