“Mom, I can’t find my Science Book!” “Dad, my form is not signed!” “Honey, have you seen my file?” “I am too sleepy. I don’t want to go to school.” “Will you two hurry up? The bus will be here any minute.”
If every early morning, your house is filled with yells and groans such as these, you are probably just one of those families that is yet to establish a hassle-free morning routine. It sounds simplistic, but when parents and school-going children have to leave the house together and they aren’t organized, things can turn very chaotic and stressful, setting a negative tone for the whole day.
The good news is, it does not have to be this way. With a bit of planning, discipline, and co-operation, things can go a lot more smoothly. Tragically, the onus to make this happen rests with the adults. So let’s do this thing. Here are five ways to de-stress your mornings.
Start preparations the night before:
Every night before going to bed, make sure that your children’s bags are packed. Check their schedule, sign any forms, go over a daily supplies list and what clothes are needed for their various. A few minutes of prep the night before can amount to a whole heap of help in the morning when you’re all groggy, rushed, or otherwise not quite yourselves.
Plan breakfast and lunch menus in advance and make sure your stocked on necessary ingredients.
Make sure the kiddos get a seriously good night’s sleep:
One of the main reasons why children are lethargic and prone to tantrums early in the morning is that they are sleep-deprived and not fully rested. They will resist any action on your part to send them to do simple things, like use the bathroom, brush their teeth, eat breakfast or get ready for school if they’re low on sleep. To avoid the house becoming an emotional battle zone, take this one seriously. Be very firm about their bedtime during the week, so that they wake up fresh and bright-eyed for school. You won’t regret it.
Get them cool alarm clocks:
Give children their own alarm clocks and train them to use ’em. If kids think parents will come again and again to get them out of bed, they will delay the action for as long as possible. Even young children can be trained to get up when the alarm clock goes off. If they need more motivation than the ringing alarm itself, place it across the room so that they have to get up to turn it off.
Have a ‘No Screen Time’ policy:
Some children love to watch TV as soon as they crawl out of the bed. Screen time will delay their preparation for school, especially if they cannot decide on what to watch or want to watch their favorite program in it’s entirety. Save yourself having to pry them away from it by not allowing it in the morning to begin with. Having a strict no TV policy will ensure that there are fewer distractions and you’ll boost everyone’s focus.
Be an early riser:
A wise person once said, “Lose an hour in the morning and you will spend all day looking for it.”
If you want to shower, have a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, manage some early household chores in peace, or score an early morning workout, get up at least 40-60 minutes before the rest of the house. This way, you won’t be distracted when young children need your help and you’ll start your day clear-headed.
Children are as much affected by chaotic mornings as their parents. When the beginning of the day goes all wrong, it seems to alter our mood for the rest of the day. Don’t get into the habit of scolding, nagging, threatening or yelling at your children in response. The best defense is a good offense. Establish a routine that will enable everyone to leave the house with a positive frame of mind.
Every morning can be a little more beautiful with the right intentional preparation. Now– seize the day!
Image credit: Parenting.com
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