When I was a kid, I always wondered why my mother was such a GROUCH in the morning. “Never,” I swore, “will I get mad at MY kids in the morning! They’ll never get on the school bus crying!” Well, I’ve managed not to put them on the school bus crying, but some mornings there is definite grouchiness in the air. What is the key to pleasant mornings that start the day off on a good note and still get us all to school and work on time? Here are some tips to help us all have better mornings: Last year my boys were just in Pre-School and we would have morning fiasco's!
Prepare the night before
As part of our bedtime routine, everyone makes sure their backpacks are packed and ready to go with homework folders, library books to return, signed permission slips, and all the other stuff needed for school that day. We leave our backpacks on a hook by the door, but you could even put them in the car or van the night before.
Another part of preparing the night before is to lay out clothes for the next day. Some families even lay out clothes for the entire week on Sunday night. Teach your kids to let your know when they are running out of clean clothes – it’s much easier to deal with “I only have two pairs of clean socks left” than with “I am out of socks” – especially when it is 7:38 and you need to leave the house by 7:40.
As part of laying out clothes, make sure everyone’s shoes are by the door, on the shoe rack, or wherever shoes live in your house.
Give yourself extra time
A little quiet, peaceful time in the morning before you have to wake up the kids can start the day on a brighter note for you. Make a cup of tea, say a prayer, and think of all your blessings. Read some scripture and then go wake them up.
Meals on wheels
Bless the school cafeteria for providing meals every day for all those sweet children. Since Elijah is in afternoon kindergarten he and the other two and Mommy, however, have “home lunch.” However, if he were morning kindergarten I could imagine myself about two weeks at the beginning of each school year, being ultra-efficient and would make sandwiches the night before. That level of preparedness doesn’t last for me I always fizzle out, although I do recommend it as a great time-saver.
Breakfast is another issue. The prepared mom sets up the breakfast table the night before with bowls, spoons, and a choice of healthy cereals. Yes, I know steel-cut oats are the “breakfast du jour”, but those little packets of flavored instant oatmeal are fast, hot, and filling. Surely they’re a better choice than Trix? An apple a day keeps the Dr. away!!!! Other quick and easy breakfast options are yogurt and peanut butter toast. When time really gets short, a cheese stick or a banana in the van is better than nothing (just make sure your child takes the peel to the trash and doesn’t leave it on the floor of the van under the seat like in the Lloyd mobile :)
Institute a “No T.V.” policy
Or at least a “No T.V. until you are dressed and have eaten, brushed your teeth, and are ready to leave” policy. Put on some bouncy music if you need morning noise. T.V. just slows everyone down.
Make a chart
If you have a child who just can’t get the morning routine down, make a chart showing all the tasks that child needs to do. Use drawings for non-readers. A chart is especially helpful when you are trying to institute new routines and responsibilities: for example, when a child is first starting kindergarten (like Elijah)and needs help remembering what to do each morning.
Adjust to your child’s needs
Maybe your son likes ten minutes to lie in bed and stretch before starting the day. Wake him up ten minutes earlier so he can have this time. Or maybe your daughter just isn’t interested in breakfast foods in the morning – give her a peanut butter sandwich instead. Give everyone a better start to the day – including yourself – by adjusting to your children’s needs when possible.
