A Parent’s Guide To Calmer Mornings

End Morning Madness With A Morning Routine

It’s morning. You’ve reached your child’s bedroom, and you brace yourself for the morning madness about to ensue. You turn the doorknob, enter the room, and quickly decide how to get them up and ready. Will it start with crying, whining, or smiling? It’s a toss-up. If you’ve ever been in charge of any little humans, you’ve been there with the odds stacked against you. But what if you had the power to create a better beginning? What if you can swap the odds and stack the probabilities in your favor?

What are mornings like at your house? Maybe you’re running late, and the kids are cranky. The more you nag, the slower they move. Have you ever been able to complete a full day’s work before even sitting at your desk? Visualize how different your life would be if you could stay on schedule and start the day in a happier mood.

It’s possible! Consider this article your official parent guide to calmer mornings. You can put an end to morning madness by following this simple checklist.

Steps to take yourself:

1. Assess sleep needs.
   If you and the rest of your family are tired each morning, you need more sleep. Try an earlier bedtime.
2. Prepare the night before.
   Accomplish as much as possible the night before, so you’re less rushed in the morning. Pack lunches and confirm homework assignments are complete. Lay out your children’s clothes and shoes.
3. Set priorities.
   Shorten your to-do list. Focus on the essentials and be flexible about the details. For example, let your kids style their hair the way they want as long as it’s clean.
4. Stay organized.
   Create systems that keep things running smoothly. Post a central calendar. Put out bins where your kids can deposit backpacks and bike helmets when they enter the door.
5. Budget extra time.
   Plan for delays. Give yourself 15 more minutes than you need so you’ll arrive at work on time, even if you have to look for a missing toy.
6. Get up first.
   Enjoy a few minutes of peace before the rest of the family gets up. Taking care of yourself first will make it easier to deal with anything that comes up.
7. Stay calm.
   Your children will follow the example you set. So take a deep breath and keep smiling.
8. Begin with prayer.
   Pray for your day before your feet hit the ground, and thank the Lord for the beautiful day when your head hits the pillow. Everything begins and ends with prayer.
   

Steps to take with your children:

1. Focus on connecting.
   Transitions are incredibly challenging for children. Try to pay attention to their feelings so you can be encouraging and supportive. Be patient, guiding them through tying shoelaces and pouring milk. Finally, hug them and thank them for their efforts.
2. Offer choices.
   Being presented with options is more pleasant than taking orders. For example, ask your son which shirt he wants to wear. Also, discuss whether your daughter would brush her teeth or comb her hair first.
3. Share responsibility.
   Give each family member a chance to weigh in. Then, assign tasks based on their age and abilities.
4. Create incentives.
   Show your kids that good behavior pays off. For example, stop for hot chocolate on the way to school if you leave the house earlier than planned.
5. Rehearse your roles.
   On the other hand, if your system still needs some tweaking, practice your moves at a time when you’re feeling less pressured. For example, schedule a drill on Saturday afternoon.
6. Eat breakfast.
   A nutritious breakfast gives you energy and helps you to think more clearly. Next, sit down together to share your meal. If that doesn’t work out, prepare something, you can eat in the car, like smoothies or bean burritos.
7. Turn off the TV.
   Minimize distractions. Keep the TV off and check phones or computers only for necessities like urgent emails or the weather report.
8. Pray with them.
   Allow your child to pray for something they are hopeful or concerned about in their day. Show your child that a day involving prayer results in a calmer, happier morning.
9. Have fun.
   While juggling many different responsibilities, remember to enjoy any hours you spend together as a family. Find something to laugh about or race each other to the car.

Put an end to morning madness.

The way your family spends the early hours establishes the rhythm for the rest of the day. You can’t yell at your children all morning and expect them to have a good day at school. Look for ways to simplify your morning routine and let your children know you appreciate their cooperation in getting up and out the door as smoothly as possible.