Although hot days continue, summer’s lazy days are gone. Morning comes early with the need for the household to get going. For school mornings, the following suggestions are gleaned from various sources and adapted from years of experience as a mother and teacher.
A key to a successful day’s rest, so to speak, on how we wake up. A rule of thumb is to schedule an extra half hour into the school morning routine.
Timing is complex as family members with age-appropriate needs vie for bathroom and personal space. Wise parents might practice some proven morning routines for themselves and teach their children. The hints are useful for adults without children too.
Folks who awaken to a jarring alarm, hit the snooze button one or more times, and then bolt out of bed feeling already late set a stressful tone for the day. On the other hand, a peaceful approach to the day is likely to be increase productivity.
Waking to music offers a calming start, especially if the music alarm is set to allow time for gentle awakening. The idea is to let the music gradually pull a person into wakefulness. Add some gently stretches to the music. Do some imaging about good things that will happen during the day.
Waking to music also avoids the morning cellphone trap. Those who do not look at phones in the morning circumvent being sucked into news and social media notifications. Online information can be distressing and is an unplanned distraction. Phones scrolling can devour precious morning time and cause frustration for adults and youth alike.
Instead of checking on the outside world, family members need a focused morning routine. Consider bathroom time, pets’ needs, breakfast, and lunch preparations. Decide who does what and when.
Address the “need to make your bed” debate. In parts of France, beds are stripped each morning and linens are hung in the open air. Certainly after eight hours, bedding could use a good airing, but beds left unmade all day invite dust and other particles.
A useful procedure is to pull back the bedding as a person climbs out. Allow the bed to air. Then, return after breakfast to quickly pull up the covers.
Allocate bathroom time. In some families, chosen members shower in the evening while others get more morning bathroom time.
One daughter-in-law had a super idea to avoid morning dressing hassles. In each closet she hung a vertical sweater holder. On Sunday evening she went over with each child the upcoming week’s clothing needs. In a sweater cubby for each day, she placed coordinated outfits with fresh socks and underwear. Accessories such as a belt or hairbow were included.
There is a truism “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” The body needs basic nutrients to get started and gradually digest so that calories are delivered to cells throughout the morning.
Breakfast must be a balanced meal. There is a reason that cereal is topped with fruit and drenched in milk. Eating a processed granola bar is not the same. A toast and egg breakfast should include fruit.
A fresh-start attitude is more likely to lead to successful achievement. Think “Today is the day I am going to ….” Over an unrushed breakfast parents can talk with children about the possibilities for achievement that day.
Monday mornings are especially significant. These mornings set the tone for the whole week. Parents might talk with students about tests and projects that are coming due. Together brainstorm a plan for success and items that are needed.
The kitchen rush can be reduced if lunches are prepared and refrigerated the night before. Better yet, prepare lunches for the week on Sunday evening and freeze. The added benefit is that the cold food stays fresh and thaws by lunchtime.
Whatever the household’s needs are, shop locally. Save time and money be reducing unnecessary out-of-town shopping trips.
