her room. Update checklists annually because school
responsibilities evolve and kids can manage a little more
each year.
Create Enthusiasm. Home is safe and cozy, but adventures
take place on the other side of the door. What is your
child enthusiastic about? Animals, nature, and friends
are all waiting for them out in the world. Sensitive
or introverted kids may not be that enthused about
seeing hundreds of kids at school each morning, but you
can make the transition smoother by focusing on the
puppies you’ll get to pat or on the worms you can stop
and study for a few moments on the way. Whatever it
takes to get your child to focus on a fun transition from
home to school—that’s what to use as motivation.
Notice Reluctance. If your child does not want to get
out the door, you may be dealing with procrastination.
Pay attention to your child’s feelings and moods in the
morning. Put on your detached detective hat. Notice
signals your child is giving you about dreading to go to
Expect Mistakes. Say your child forgets her lunch bag
one day. Assuming it’s not a chronic issue, acknowledge
that everyone makes mistakes. Being quick to forgive
is a far better example for children, as you help guide
them get back on track swiftly. Once in a while someone
will oversleep. Cut everyone some slack and offer a
hand with the morning routine. You want to have high
expectations and stick to them, while avoiding the
expectation of perfection. Kids are only human and so
are parents, after all.
Offer Rewards. Think of the door as the finish line,
and don’t rush or scold after crossing it if you can
possibly help it. Each time you succeed at getting
everyone out the door on time is a win. If you have an
attitude of “Go, team!” your kids will internalize that
and want to succeed each day. Every once in a while
offer a spontaneous reward for a week of consistent
punctuality. It’s a great way to reinforce the idea that
being on time matters.
school and discuss them during a non-threatening time,
like over the weekend or while driving around town
doing errands, rather than in the morning right before
school. Don’t dismiss reluctance about school as nothing.
Instead, work together to put your child’s mind at ease
about legitimate concerns.
Supervise Progress. Some kids need help getting and
Keep-it-simple Morning Checklist
Hugs and kisses are far more important than hospital
corners on the bed. Encourage kids to pick up after
themselves but save major chores for after school and
weekends. Meanwhile increase your successful starts
staying focused, so go ahead and supervise. Mornings by focusing on these basics: can become a time when whatever siblings are doing Wash hands and face Pack backpack
Comb or brush hair Put on shoes
Brush teeth Wear a warm coat
Get dressed Say, “Love you!”
for wandering attention. Pop your head in their rooms Eat breakfast Share hugs and kisses
to check on kids and peek in those lunch bags and Make lunch
becomes riveting. That comic book on the bedroom
floor seems much more appealing than packing the
backpack. If kids have cell phones, their ears are perked
up listening for incoming message tones. While you are
helping little ones who need extra help, keep an eye out
backpacks. You will be making rounds for years before
everyone is focused enough to manage the routine
themselves. If there is one thing, author, journalist and writing coach
Encourage Autonomy. Don’t keep doing tasks for your Christina Katz cannot bear, it’s days that get off to a
child that she can do herself. If she can tie her own
shoes, patiently wait for her to do it. If she can make her
stressful start. She tries to remember to breathe and be
patient until everyone is successfully out the door.
own breakfast, compliment her healthy choices. Building
skills means doing tasks many times before they become
routine. So, unless the bus is coming down the road, try
to resist the urge to jump in and hurry things along.
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