Create routines. Children love routines and thrive when provided with structure. You may choose to create a routine simply through repetition, or for younger children, you can create visuals that help walk them through their morning routines.
For example, have a set way that the household functions in the morning. For instance, first we wake and wash negel vasar, brush our teeth, and use the bathroom. Next, we change into our school clothing and go downstairs for breakfast. Once we eat breakfast, we are free to play in our rooms until it is time to go and pick our bags up from the door. Some mothers create charts with a movable Velcro piece with the child’s name on it in order to walk their young children through the routine. This provides positive reinforcement for the child; however, it is not necessary if you reinforce the routine on a daily basis.
Believe it or not, bedtime routines do affect morning chaos! The more rested your children are, the more likely they are to be cooperative and quick-moving in the morning. So, consider reevaluating the time they go to sleep. An added benefit: more sleep will not only help them function better in the morning and throughout the day, but will also build their immune system and help them fight disease!
Obviously, there are days when routines go out the window because you forgot that everyone has a dentist appointment after school or your daughter is in the school play at 11am that morning. Therefore, make it a point to keep a calendar in the kitchen (or in your planner or phone, depending on your preference). Then, as part of your nightly routine while making lunches or picking out your clothing, check for upcoming events. This will remind you to pack your son’s baseball uniform in his knapsack so you don’t have to go looking for it during breakfast.
You too can be one of those parents whose house is organized and relaxed. Of course, it takes a bit of planning and effort, but in the long-run it will pay off.
