You had to coax your teenager out of bed. Your son couldn’t find his shoes. Your husband needed his shirt ironed. You ran out of milk right when your daughter is ready to eat breakfast. Sound like a morning you’ve experienced? Getting everyone ready and out of the house on time can be a stressful event. Those rare mornings when everyone is cheerful and everything goes smoothly are like something out of a dream. Why can’t more mornings be stress-free?
Whether it’s too little time, a lack of sleep, or just bad luck, rough mornings are expected. But here are some tips to make good mornings the norm rather than the exception.
Be pleasant until ten o’clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself. – Elbert Hubbard
The Night Before
A good morning starts about 12 hours before the morning. For things to go as smooth and hassle-free as possible, it takes a little planning and preparation. Part of your kids’ bedtime routine should include laying out clothes, socks, and shoes that are to be worn the next day. Homework should be finished and backpacks packed and set by the door.
It’s not just the kids who need to prep the night before. Adults should also. Lay out clothes for the next day. No more trying on three outfits before choosing the one you like. Make sure clothes are cleaned and ironed, and finally, take a shower before bed so you don’t have to in the morning.
No one wants to wake up to a messy kitchen. A sink full of dirty dishes is a depressing sight first thing in the morning. Make the morning more pleasant by washing dishes the night before. While you’re at it, check on breakfast and lunch food supplies to make sure you have what you need.
Want an even easier morning? Make lunches the night before. Kids can take part in this routine. Anything that doesn’t require refrigeration can be packed in their lunch boxes.
Consistent Bedtime
It’s amazing what a good night’s rest can do for everyone’s attitude in the morning. A regular bed and wake time each day helps ensure quality sleep, feeling refreshed in the morning, and having an easier time getting out of bed.
School-age kids need 10–11 hours of sleep a night, teenagers need 8.5 to 10 hours, and adults need between 7 and nine hours. Adjust bedtimes to ensure everyone is getting the sleep they need for a good morning.
Create a Routine
Kids function best when they know what’s expected of them and when it’s expected. This is why routine is so important. Every morning should progress in a similar manner.
It will possibly look a little different for each family, but for kids it may go something like this: turn off alarm, get dressed, put on shoes, do hair, eat breakfast, brush teeth, get jackets on, gather backpacks and lunch boxes, and go out the door. Kids begging to watch television? No screen time until they’re completely ready to go!
Remain Calm
If you’re rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off more mornings than not, it’s time to reevaluate your routine. Start preparing at night or wake up a few minutes earlier than usual.
Remember—your kids pick up on your stress. Seeing you frazzled can stress them out and cause them to act out. When you’re struggling to get out the door, this is the last thing you need. When things get hectic, remain calm for your sake as well as your kids.
A Team Effort
Getting out of the house in a timely manner is a team effort. All it takes is one lost shoe to throw everyone off. If one person is ready, he or she should help others get prepared for the day. Though they can’t do everything, kids need to pull their own weight and learn responsibility and discipline. Mom and dad shouldn’t be relied on for everything. School-age kids should know how to dress themselves and pour their own cereal.
Team players encourage each other in their race to the finish. Stay positive and reward good efforts. Pretty soon, the good mornings will outnumber the bad!
