Supporting your Morning Routine: Keeping the whole family calm, happy, engaged, and on time.

---

Getting kids out the door on time each morning can feel much more stressful than restful some days. We hope you can use some of these helpful strategies, from our parents, to support yourself and your family:

-  “Wake up earlier in the morning in order to take time for your own self-care so you feel prepared to handle the stressors of the day.”

-  “Give a list of tasks to each child to check off every morning. When all the checks are completed, they can have free time until it is time to leave for school. To avoid protests for ending free time when it is time to leave for school, make sure there is a closure (use a timer, designate a time of departure, designate task repetitions before departing, etc.)”.

-  “Pack lunches and backpacks with your kids as part of a nightly routine and leave the backpacks by the doors so you are ready to go”.

-  “Create a pre-portioned snack section of the fridge, so kids can be more independent in helping to pack lunches, and save you time as well.”

-  “Eat breakfast together". Even if it is in the car. "Do as many jobs simultaneously with your kids as possible." It is more fun for the kids if you do it together.

-  "Have a don’t forget list by the door (i.e. lunch, backpack, homework, etc.)"

-  "Use a visual timer to help kids keep track of how much time they have for each part of their routine (bathroom, breakfast, getting dressed). Have a consistent routine as much as possible and keep tasks in the same order so they are less likely to be forgotten."

-   “Cut a large sticker in half and place each piece on the inside corner of the insoles of your child’s shoes. This will help them to tell left from right so they can be more independent”.

-  “Incorporate calming sensory input into the morning routine, such as walking or biking to school. This is also an opportunity for connection if it is feasible! Have the child carry their own backpack and/or lunch if they can.”

-  “Spend a few seconds snuggling in bed upon waking and talk about things you are excited for that day.  Taking he few extra minutes for a slow and easy wake up can go a long way to getting things done and may save time in the end.”

-  “Go outside and listen for the birds or the roosters or whatever morning sounds are common in your neighborhood to spend some time in connection each morning”.

These are just a few of an endless number of possibilities. We would love to hear more ideas.  Feel free to share on our Facebook page or on Instagram at #GrowingHealthyChildren

Originally posted by Growing Healthy Children Therapy Services via Locable