It seems school is starting earlier and earlier. My kids went back to school August 20 this year!
Morning routines have always been important in maintaining order and avoiding chaos in our household. That has not changed since the kids have gotten older. I don’t know about y’all but it is darn near impossible to get my 16 and 14 year old out of bed in the morning {no matter what time they go to bed}. It can easily create a very stressful start to the day if I am not careful.
English: american breakfast (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here are some ways to make the morning flow smoothly:
- Prepare as much as you can the night before. This means laying out clothes, making lunches, setting the table for breakfast, etc. The more you do the night before the less there is to stress about in the morning. With teens in the house, you can enlist their help with the evening routine as well.
- Set realistic expectations. If there are mornings that you need to leave the house at a certain time (for work, appointments, school, etc.) then a gourmet breakfast is probably not the way to go. So often we try to cram things into the morning routine that aren’t necessary and then wonder why we are stressed. Be realistic about the time that you have and what needs to be accomplished.
- Have a command center. Don’t you hate those moments when the kids can’t find their homework at the last minute? Ever had shoes or coats missing in action and you are already five minutes behind schedule? The solution is to have a place for everything and help your family get in the habit of putting everything in its place. We have a small table by the entryway where permission slips, homework and keys go. We have three hooks by the door for coats and book bags and a basket for shoes. The more accessible everything is, the easier it is to find.
- Menu plan. I am an advocate for menu planning and not just dinner. We have a menu for breakfast Monday- Friday. My boys know that Mondays are cereal, Tuesdays are waffles, Wednesdays are eggs, etc. This makes the morning routine easier and I don’t end up feeling like a short order cook. It also helps the boys know how to set the table for the coming day.
- Reward yourself and the kids. Initiating a new routine can be difficult until the routine becomes habit for your family. Consider having a special reward (a dessert, an outing, etc) on the week’s that mornings run smoothly. The only way for mornings to work is for everyone to be a team in the household. Acknowledge when the kids have pitched in. Thank your hubby for warming up the car. Reward your family for coming together to make something work.
- Start day off with prayer. I need my quiet time in the morning. And, our kids do too. Set the example and encourage your teen to spend the beginning of their day with God as well. Even if it is a verse of the day at the breakfast table, starting the day off with God as the focus will only bring good things to your day.
What do you do to keep your mornings from feeling hectic?
The way we start our day can often impact what the rest of the day is going to be like. Sticking to an effective routine is essential for busy moms!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Wow, liking this blog. I have a teenager and a tween! It is definitely a unique time of child raising.
As per the post, I think people are especially sensitive in the mornings, so I try to not nit-pick about the little things (like someone’s shoes are in the middle of the kitchen – again, or those dirty clothes are STILL not in the laundry room). If something really needs addressing, I’ll make a mental note and talk about it later, after school.
When my sons were little I was doing a little whining one day about how time consuming little ones are… you have to do everything for them, blah blah blah. A wiser (and courageous) man told me it will only get busier. As they get older they need you just as much, but in a different way- in some ways it will be tougher.
He was right.