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