“Good morning, sweetheart!” Oh, those words contain so much hope. I look at my sleeping child and gently rustle him awake, prepared for a peaceful morning. Unfortunately, within 10 minutes or so, the morning madness has set in. Someone’s yelling about a stain on a favorite shirt. I’m trying to fix a mascara smudge without messing up the rest of my makeup, and another kid is still in his pajamas.
Mornings don’t have to be this way. Sure, the crazy day is bound to happen, but if every day starts with a high intensity frenzy, then it’s time for a change. It’s not good for you, your kids, or your relationship with them. So stop the morning madness with a few of these 14 ways to start the day with more peace and calm.
Set the mood.
1. Wake them up with a kiss and hug, or at least a warm “Good morning.”
2. Think about what percentage of your words before school are commands. Do you sound like a drill sergeant? Yes, you have to keep everyone on task, but work in the occasional “You look nice!” or “I’m proud of how hard you worked on your homework last night.”
3. Have upbeat music playing while everyone’s getting ready. It doesn’t have to be loud or intense. That will just add to the morning madness. But fun, positive music will put everyone in a good mood.
4. Notice when they’re on task and offer praise. “You made your bed without being reminded! That’s great.” “You got dressed in record time!”
Prep work pays off.
5. Have yourself as ready as possible before the kids get up. It’s tough to get up even 15 minutes earlier when you’re tired, but it will pay off when you’re not trying to decide which shoes work with your outfit as your kids are shouting about not being able to find theirs.
6. Have the basics gathered the night before. Put socks and shoes in one place. Lay out clothes and hair accessories. Have lunches packed.
7. Decide what’s for breakfast the night before. Then let the kids put out plates or bowls and cups to remove one step in the morning.
Make your kids do more.
8. Let them set their own alarm clocks and get up to it. If you have teens, this is a simple way to start nudging them toward independence and self-reliance. Get an old-fashioned alarm clock—I bet you can hear it going off right now—if you have a “no phones in the bedroom” rule.
9. Get them in the habit of making sure all their books, projects, and homework are in their backpacks. You could laminate and use our Check, Check, Done printable to help them remember what needs to be done. 
10. Rotate the title of “Time Keeper.” Whoever is in charge of keeping the time gives warnings: “OK, everyone, 10-minute warning! Five-minute warning!”
Keep these tricks in your back pocket.
11. Set house clocks five minutes fast. Even if you know they’re fast, and your kids know, it still keeps you moving faster.
12. Make the house a no-phone zone before school, or make the phone a privilege you earn if you’re ready early.
13. Let them hear you bragging to your husband, or someone else about how great they did getting ready in the morning.
14. Wake early enough to have a quiet time, coffee, and a peak at the iMOM Minute! Not a subscriber? Click here!
What tricks do you use to calm the morning madness?
