The Monday-Friday routine is necessary, it gets us through the week. However, when the routine starts to take on some negative qualities (arguing, not wanting to get up, crying), it's time to channel Monty Python: And now for something completely different. Here are 3 easy steps to help shift gears and get back to a morning everyone likes.
1. wake up earlier
Yes, you already wake up early. But you've also decided that the mornings aren't working, and you're the adult, so you need to make the first change. Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier, wake up, have a little "me" time to collect yourself before you wake your child. Use this time to sip coffee, leisurely shower and get dressed, or look at your potted plants outside (getting fresh air is always energizing)--be selfish and take care of you first.
2. cook
Start the day with a warm breakfast. Most of us offer cereal or toast for weekday breakfast. Break out of that mold. What is your child's favorite breakfast? Pancakes? Buttermilk biscuits? Crumble cake?* Make it. You're probably thinking: My child has done nothing to make my life easier, why on earth am I going out of my way to make a home made breakfast?! You're beating your child to the punch. Any break in the usual routine will result in different behavior. Your child no longer has the argument of: There's nothing to eat in this house! In fact, it's the opposite, your child's favorite is already in the works. Be sure you offer this gift genuinely. It will be ruined if you act like a martyr.
3. fun
Plan something "crazy" for the morning. Is your house silent in the morning? Turn on the tv. Do you drive a short distance to school? Ride your bikes. Do you walk your dog after dropping off your child at school? Do it with your child before going to school. Again, this will help you break out of that rut and put you on the path to better mornings.
This is not an overnight fix. It took time to create the rut, it'll take time to get out of it. Your child will test you at every turn and try to start new arguments out of habit. Stay strong, stay one step ahead, rely on friends to give you strength, and don't give up thinking arguments are the only way your child will communicate with you. You can do this.
*If you said yes to any of these, I have great, simple recipies for each. Email me and I'll send it to you.
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1 comment:
Mornings have been such a mess. Between the oversleeping and the arguing over breakfast and the lunches - yikes.
It's certainly no long-term fix but we had a ton of fun making these Batter Blaster instant organic pancakes. We let the kids try and make shapes squirting them onto the pan. They tasted good too. Nice to give them something warm, w/ no arguments in the morning.
Yes putting "fun" into mornings is easier said than done though. Thank you for posting and have a great day.
Patti
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