| Plan Ahead – Does your child always lag | | | | lazy bones out of the bed!†I picked a goofy |
| behind in the morning because they can’t | | | | song from my own childhood (Patch the Pirate) that |
| find matching socks or their homework? Start | | | | they would surely find reason to smile about. |
| preparing for morning the night before. Lay out clothing | | | | Time to Get a Grip – Even kids need time to |
| (down to socks and shoes), sign all papers, pack lunch | | | | adjust to a new day. Don’t wake them up |
| and put it all by the door. This may sound simple but it | | | | with only 15 minutes to spare! This is a recipe for |
| really does cut down on morning anxiety. If your child is | | | | disaster. We usually make some time for ourselves as |
| on medication, use a pill organizer so that you can tell if | | | | parents - even if it is while we drive to work. |
| they have already taken their morning meds. A hectic | | | | Remember that kids need time to prepare for the day, |
| morning could result in double-dosing. Avoid this at all | | | | too. |
| costs. | | | | Talk to Them – Use the extra time that you |
| Get a Good Night’s Sleep – A | | | | save from preparing ahead of time to talk to your |
| good night’s sleep can never be | | | | children. Ask them what they are doing at school that |
| underestimated. Parents, this goes for you too. Lack of | | | | day or if there are any tests coming up. Get to know |
| sleep can cause problems related to health, | | | | their schedule and their morning rituals. This will help to |
| performance on the job AND stress at home. Be firm. | | | | open the channels of communication between you. |
| Set a reasonable bedtime and then let them EARN a | | | | Laugh with Them – Tell them something |
| later bedtime based on their daily performance. For | | | | funny. Even if it is something silly like reading the |
| example, base bedtime could be 9:00 p.m. If the child | | | | comics on the cereal box, in the paper, or telling them |
| does well that day at school and at home (no bad | | | | something that happened to you the day before |
| reports, no time outs) then they can extend to 9:30 as | | | | – let them know that you still can laugh. |
| a reward. They may go from complaining about 9:00 | | | | Laughter is something that we can indulge in and |
| p.m. to actually APPRECIATING 9:30 as an alternative. | | | | doesn’t cost us a thing. |
| Rise and Shine: Parents – Learn to embrace | | | | Feed Them – Remember: garbage in = |
| the morning. Wake up an extra 15 minutes early and | | | | garbage out. Breakfast is the most important meal of |
| make yourself some coffee. Go sit on the porch in the | | | | your day. Don’t skimp or skip. Your child |
| morning air and breathe in the fresh air. A slow start | | | | needs nutrients in order to learn. Read the boxes or |
| may give you more patience and tolerance to deal | | | | make a hot breakfast. Make sure that there is |
| with whatever comes your way. | | | | something of value to your child’s health |
| Rise and Shine: Kids – If your kids are still | | | | contained in your breakfast choices. |
| young (like mine) you can get away with a little more | | | | Hug Them – Your children are getting older |
| creativity. There was a time when getting my kids up | | | | and are maybe a little less |
| was like awaking a couple of beasts in a cave. | | | | “touchy-feely†but don’t |
| They’d whine “No, I’m | | | | let that stop you. Never let your child leave your home |
| tired†or “I just went to | | | | without some type of physical interaction. Hold on for a |
| sleep…†or “I hate | | | | few seconds longer each morning. Tell your child that |
| morning!†and the list goes on. One day I | | | | you love them. A hand on the shoulder, a high-five, a |
| thought I’d add a little spice to morning. I was | | | | kiss and smile – whatever works for you |
| going to let them control the process. My children all | | | | and your child. Make that important contact. You never |
| LOVE music so I cranked up the stereo and within 5 | | | | know what a day will bring. |
| minutes they were all up and singing along. It was like a | | | | Send them out that front door feeling like they can |
| miracle! Now every morning we do the same ritual. | | | | conquer anything. Feed their mind, body and soul each |
| Loud music CAN be good for the soul. When my kids | | | | and every morning. Only time will tell just how big of an |
| were younger I would sing to them until they woke up. | | | | impact that you can truly make just by making a few |
| “Rise and shine lazy, sleepy head. Get your | | | | small changes before the bus comes. |