Wednesday, March 18, 2015

7 Tips to Make Mornings Less Chaotic

I think Janine jinxed me with her post last week. I probably should have known it was coming, anyway. My entire family has been healthy all winter other than a few sniffles. (knock on wood, cross my fingers, throw salt over my shoulder) We were due and when I woke up around 3:00am Monday morning with a rumbly tummy, I knew our healthy streak was broken. Sure enough, around 5:00am the stomach bug hit me like a freight train. 

Fortunately, my husband, who typically travels a lot for work, was actually home, so he jumped in and took over all the morning duties (and afternoon duties and evening duties). He got the girls out of bed, packed their lunches, and got them all off to school. Even in my absence, they made it through the morning routine without a hitch.

The truth is that, stomach bug aside, I am not a morning person and neither are my kids. This means that, even on the best days, mornings can be tough. Over the years, I have learned a few tricks to make the mornings a little more bearable.



Tips to Make Mornings Less Chaotic

1. Plan ahead - I know, I know. Believe me, at 9:00pm once all the kids are in bed, the last thing I want to think about is packing the lunches for TOMORROW! But, in the mornings, I find myself thinking, "Why didn't I do this last night?!?" As much as it stinks, I have found the more you can do ahead, the better off you will be. Make sure homework is complete and book bags are packed. Check the weather and pick out clothes the night before. And, yes, pack the lunches, too - at least partially.

2. Stick to a routine - It doesn't matter if the kids get dressed before they eat breakfast or afterwards, just figure out what works best and stick to the same routine everyday. This way, kids know what is expected and it becomes a habit. If they are old enough to tell time, you can give them those parameters as well (i.e. You need to be finished eating my 7:00am.) 

3. Involve the kids - Once kids are in elementary school, I think they are old enough to start helping out and, the older they get, the more they should help. Make choosing their clothes part of their nighttime routine. Let them help pack the lunches. Isn't a 10 year old capable of fixing herself a bowl of cereal? The more they can do, the less you have to do. (And the more prepared they will be on the occasion that the stomach bug renders you useless!)

4. Make lists - I am a list maker by nature, but it is truly helpful in the mornings. I make a weekly plan for what to pack in lunches. We also have a family calendar on the refrigerator so everyone knows what's in store for the day.  I frequently put post-it note reminders on the counter so I don't forget things that can't be done the night before. You can also make lists for your kids to check off (i.e. get dressed, brush your teeth, comb your hair, etc.).  In the sleepy fog of the morning rush, having the lists is a lifesaver.

5. Don't hit snooze - This one is really hard for me. As I said, I'm not a morning person and I hate rolling out of bed when the alarm goes off. However, if I get a late start, then everyone gets a late start and the morning is off on the wrong foot even before we've begun. If you absolutely must hit snooze, then set your alarm to go off a few minutes earlier. 

6. Insert some fun - Play some music. Put a joke book on the breakfast table. When everyone is grumpy because they would rather still be in bed, insert a little fun to lighten the mood.

7. Say "Thank you!" - When mornings do go well; when the kids cooperate and get everything done in a timely manner; when they pitch in to help, say "Thank you!" and let them know that you appreciate their help. Point out how smoothly things went on the good days and acknowledge their part in the success. You could even implement a reward system if you think it will help (i.e. After 10 days out the door on time, we get to go out for ice cream!) 

 No matter how many of these tips you implement, some mornings are just going to go more smoothly than others. Sometimes you will oversleep or someone will get the stomach bug. Nothing is foolproof. However, in my years as a mom, I have found that these are some things that really help!



What has worked for you to make the mornings in your home go smoothly?


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This post was part of the One Word Blog Linkup hosted by, Janine of Confessions of a Mommyholic, Marica of Blogitudes, and me! This week, the word prompt choices were Secret and Morning. If you would like to join the linkup you can find more information HERE, sign up for weekly emails HERE, and/or join our Facebook group HERE. Every Friday, two prompts are emailed. Choose one and write a post using that word as inspiration. Linkup up any time between 6:00am EST on Wednesday-9:00pm EST on Thursdays on any of the host sites




35 comments:

Janine Huldie said...

Aw, so sorry I jinxed you and hope you are feeling better now. It took me almost a full week to get over the nausea and unsettled stomach from the stomach bug this past time. Oh and like you so not a morning person by any means, so thank you for the above tips as I could use all the help I can get with mornings around here, too! 😉

Dana said...

I hope you're feeling better, Lisa! Our mornings aren't too bad because as one kid leaves, the other gets up. Next year may be tough with two teenagers fighting for the bathroom. The only tip I would add is "drink coffee." I am not equipped to deal with any chaos without it!

MamaRabia said...

It's apparently a "great minds think alike' kind of day, Lisa! I glad to see that we don't have too much overlap though. That means more morning tips for everyone!!

Marcia Shaw Wyatt said...

Great tips, Lisa! I'm definitely not a morning person either - unless you count the wee hours of morning because I work nights and don't usually go to bed until 3AM or so. Quite often, when I have to get up early because I have an appointment before work, I play the Snooze Button Game. I always want just a few minutes more sleep, so I deliberately set my alarm for 20 minutes before I actually have to get up. It's a bad habit and it probably cheats me out of 20 minutes of good sleep time, but it keeps me happy so I'll probably keep right on doing it. :D Loved your post and all your excellent suggestions. I need to start implementing No. 2 right away - stick to a routine. I'd get so much more achieved each day. Thank you!

Jeannine (@EubanksEutopia) said...

OH, these are Excellent ideas, Lisa! I struggle so much with mornings. My girls pack their own lunches and get their own breakfasts, which is wonderful. But the boys are more work. I like the idea of putting on some music in the morning. And I have been thinking recently that I should make a picture to-do list for my son who has trouble focusing in the morning. Thanks for the great tips!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Well, I'm pretty much back to normal, just still not much appetite (which could be good for my waistline!) Glad the tips were helpful!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Yes - that should definitely be on the list!!!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

:-) Great minds, indeed!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I still do the snooze thing, too! But, I do set my alarm for 15 minutes earlier than I have to get up. Probably not for the best, but it makes me feel better. :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Jeannine!! Glad it was helpful!

Jennifer Quinn said...

I am so not a morning person and while I can see how your tips can be helpful to me, I don't think I'll ever be able to insert some fun ;-)

Galit Breen said...

I love this so much! such great tips--and that last one! Swoon. Yes, thank them! I LOVE that!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

That one is tough!!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Galit!

Corinne Rodrigues said...

Oh it seems like we're on the same page, @Lisa @ The Golden Spoons. I'm all for adding fun to my morning routine. Although having a crazy boxer ensures that our morning starts off with a fun note, I need to add more to the fun quotient!

Tamara Bowman said...

I really hope you're feeling better and the family didn't get your bug!
I think #7 is so important. When it does go well, we are all happier and more polite and more ambitious to make the next day the same way.
I get all messed up by packing ONE lunch. I think three is a lot. Kudos to you!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Fun is usually the last thing on my mind in the mornings, but, with kids, I have found that it helps get us all in a better mood.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Yes, 3 is a lot!! LOL! I think #7 is important, too. just praising them and letting them know it helped will, hopefully, motivate them to help out more often!

April Grant said...

Really, if I can get out of bed on time, my morning goes smoothly. Everything is chaotic if I sleep in. Don't hit snooze is really my number 1!


Another late entry: http://www.aprilnoelle.com/2015/03/5-secrets-to-changing-the-world-now/

Kristi - Finding Ninee said...

I hit snooze way too often. I actually set my alarm for every 4 minutes for 20 minutes. I know - dumb but it works for me. Great tips Lisa! Packing lunch the night before is huge. I didn't realize I should do that until this year and now I wonder why I didn't figure it out sooner! And stomach bugs - ugh - the worst. I'm glad your husband was in town to help so that you could rest and get well!!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

That's definitely a big one!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Hey, if it works for you then go with it! It's crazy how much difference the lunches make. Even though I know, sometimes I still don't because I'm just too tired at night. But, I always regret it in the morning!

Janine Huldie said...

I love that last one and agree, bloggers should most definitely get a day! 😉

Jill Robbins said...

I am a big snooze button girl. My snooze shuts off after 3 snoozes and sometimes, I'll even set the alarm for 10 more minutes. Surprise, I am always in a hurry in the morning!

Eli @ Coach Daddy said...

Beautiful list! If you try hard enough, every day is "food has no calories day." I always felt like I should try to get people on board for National Pessimist Day, but, who am I kidding? No one would go for it.

MamaRabia said...

Great list! I love that we overlapped again! (We seriously don't plan this, people!!) I would totally be behind a Kids Clean the House day! Who do we write letters too!?

Dana said...

These are really good, Lisa! Eat What You Want Day is my husband's birthday, so he's been doing that for years.

Dana said...

Rolling my eyes at that joke, Eli. You should do stand up!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

We certainly should!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Ha! My oldest daughter would be great at that day, but she would probably have the same attitude -nobody else would do it, os why bother? :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I wish I knew!!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I started to call mine Eat What You Want Day, but then I discovered it already existed, so I changed it a bit. It's not so much that I want a day to eat what I want, but that I want to do it without feeling guilty and expanding my middle anymore! :-)

Charlene said...

Oh wow! We have a few in common Lisa - surely that must mean they deserve to be celebrated!! :) Love #10 Blogger Appreciation Day.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Right?!?!? We must institute these days immediately. :-)

Charlene said...

YES Lets! :) You lead the way Lisa!

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