Five Steps to a Better Morning
My kids have been in school for almost a month now. We are finally settling into a routine. However, our mornings are not running as smoothly as I’d like them to. Getting up when the alarm clock goes off is a struggle for both me and my daughter.
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If we get up later than we had planned, the morning routine is shot and the house is full of discord and bad attitudes. This morning sent me over the edge. I have decided that we can’t live this way any more. My daughter is suffering because she is in tears before we leave and my attitude is not one that I want my kids to emulate. So, what are we going to do?
After thinking through what has been happening each morning and praying for wisdom and guidance, I’ve come up with the following actions steps that I hope will help our mornings run more smoothly.
- Prepare-Good mornings start with good evenings. Each night before going to bed all homework will be done, papers will be signed, lunches and snacks will be prepared as much as possible, and clothes will be laid out.
- Rest-We will all go to bed at an earlier time so that we will have adequate rest each night.
- Discipline-Getting out of bed on time is essential. This will take lots of prayer and discipline. I will begin praying with my daughter each night before we go to bed that we will get the rest we need and will be able to get out of bed the next morning.
- Focus-The TV will not be turned on in the mornings so that we can focus on getting ready and out the door. No electronics will be allowed until everything is done. This means being dressed to the shoes, teeth and hair brushed, and backpacks ready.
- Attitude-I want to start having morning devotions with my kids. Hopefully this will set the tone for a positive day.
I’m going to put these action steps into practice immediately. To hold myself accountable, I will update our progress in a few weeks.
I’d love to hear about your morning routines. Leave a comment and share what works well for your family.
Jennifer, this is the first year I’ve had morning devotions with my kids, and I am really enjoying it. We are reading from “Jesus Calling for Kids.” Getting up on time is a real struggle for us as well. Praying the night before is a wonderful idea! I am going to start doing that! We also do no electronics until everyone is completely ready.
Carrie, thanks for sharing! I have not yet found something I wanted to use for the devotions. I’ll have to take a look at the one you are using. I really think it will help set the tone for our day.