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Morning stress

Morning stress

Forgotten homework, lost shoes, packed lunches, a queue for the bathroom… Stress in the morning can ruin the rest of the day for you. Luckily, there’s a better way.

Look for the patterns

Kids are chaotic – no two ways about it. But you’ll notice they always operate in patterns just like the rest of us, making the same mistakes every time. If you can see the patterns, be prepared, very prepared.

”I don’t know if mornings in our house are a tragedy or a farce.”

Outsmart your kids

It’s easier than you think. Know where their things are for the next day. The next step is to make sure they’re getting to bed on time. Being “morning smart” is simple - get the following things out of the way before you go to bed.

Homework is checked.
Sports kit is washed and ready, if needed.
Permission slips are signed.
Packed lunches are prepared (or dinner money laid out).
Clothes are ready.
Breakfast things are ready.

Some of the above might be things the kids can do before they go to bed – make it a part of their bedtime routine.

It is all about being prepared. Think about what can be done the night before or what’s needed for the week ahead.

The early bloke gets his turn

Get up ten minutes earlier than you normally would. It’s not much earlier, and you’re probably awake already. Being up early means you’re already ahead of the kids, and able to stop problems before they happen.

Run to a schedule

If the kids always argue about whose turn it is in the shower, make a schedule and give them a set time. You might even want to use a kitchen timer – it can actually be quite fun for kids to race against the clock. You could even base part of the weekly reward system on the success of the mornings – that way they will have to work with each other as a team to get things done!

Mornings can be easier for all of you if you think ahead, and develop a routine.

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Morning stress

Look for the patterns

Outsmart your kids

The early bloke gets his turn

Run to a schedule

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