Morning Routine Ideas To Get Your Kids Ready Fast
Morning routines can be a fantastic way of getting everybody ready in record time and out the door with plenty of time to spare. However, it can be tough to know how to construct a really effective morning routine, and even harder to make sure everybody can stick to it.
Here, we have some morning routine ideas that could help you to get your mornings off to the best start! Take a look and your days might just change for the better:
Prepare The Night Before
The key to a great morning routine is preparing as much as you can the night before. Everybody should be getting plenty of sleep, and kids need more than adults. Most need around 10 hours per night, but it can vary depending on their age. Make sure they have a nice routine to wind down and that they aren't being overstimulated with electronics in their bedrooms.
You should prepare the night before by laying out clothes for them, like their Sawyer t-shirts and bottoms - but let them have a choice if you think it’ll make them get dressed faster. Prepare breakfast the night before too, and don’t forget to pack lunches.
Get Up Before Your Kids
If you can get up at least half an hour before your kids need to get up, you will be showered, dressed, and ready for the day and feel so much better for it. Having a morning ritual that helps you to start the day off right will do everybody the world of good, so focus on yourself first. It can be tempting to snooze, but once you’re in a routine you’ll likely really enjoy it.
Have A Couple Of Minutes Relaxed Snuggle Time With Your Child Before They Get Up
Now, don’t just rush into your child’s room, whip the covers off them and try to get them up. This won’t make them feel great and could make them instantly grouchy! Instead, have a couple of minutes relaxed snuggle time with them. If you have prepared enough beforehand, this shouldn’t be an issue. It’ll make the transition from a warm snuggly bed to getting up much easier for them, and allows you a few moments to bond.
Create A Morning Routine Chart For Your Kids To Follow
Having a morning routine chart somewhere your kids can see will enable them to follow along. Include every task, even the simple ones and ones you deem obvious. You will want to include things like:
Brushing teeth
Combing their hair
Getting dressed
Eating breakfast
Getting their shoes on.
Encourage your child to take ownership of as many of these tasks as possible, although it will depend on their age. Help them if you need to but make sure you’re giving them plenty of opportunities to pick things up on their own.
Remain Calm
It’s all too easy to become stressed out and get into panic mode in the mornings. Your kids can sense when you’re stressed and all in a tizzy, and they tend to slow down and resist when they can tell that you’re rushing. Remember, kids tend to mirror your actions and tone, so if you’re shouting and huffing and puffing then so will they. Remain as calm as you can, taking deep breaths. Use an ‘indoor voice’ and do your best to exude cool collectiveness. If you really do need them to hurry up, calmly explain to them what you need help with and why.
Don't Stray Too Much From Your Routine On The Weekends
The weekends can be a very special time for families, but you shouldn’t stray too far from your routine. Make sure everybody is getting enough sleep, and it won’t be too hard to get back into it when Monday rolls back around. However, the weekends should be exciting, so consider having a special weekend tradition, like making yummy pancakes together. Plan something the whole family can look forward to so that you are all motivated to get up and out the door. You should be excited to spend the weekend together as a family unit, so maybe you could plan a trip to the park, a picnic, a hike, or something else that you’ll all find fun!
The morning routine can be tough to master, but once you’re in the swing of things, you’ll wish you had done it sooner. Your whole life can change when you start the day off right, so implement these ideas now!
Come back soon!